When I reopened my store in Upper Montclair I acknowledged that it would be like starting over from scratch and decided that I would give it 2 years before I hoped to see profits and success. Unfortunately I've never had profitable business in this location and I feel this shop is far from successful. While I love it and enjoy my time here, my old customers have not fully embraced the changes I've made and finding new customers to replace them has proven challenging. I am unwilling to take any more risks in this space and although I feel the space has potential for classes and workshops I need to take advantage of the opportunity presented by the option to renew my lease coming up in July. I have so much on my plate now, I've had to go to work full-time as a massage therapist because the store doesn't support me. I hope to expand my crafts business by looking for more wholesale customers, and continue to do craft shows, farmers markets, and run my internet shops. Having the store is just the weak link in the chain right now.
So, starting Monday, June 1st, I will have a closing sale with all merchandise 40% off to start, not including my handmade items as I will still be making and selling those items at shows and online. I will close at the end of July. Fixtures will also be available for sale, including the slatwall, shelving, and hooks.
I am not sad to be closing (again), I only regret that I was unable to find the right formula to make it through these awful economic times and emerge on the other side as I hope others will be able to do.
i'm sorry to hear about this. if you are not too sad about it, that's good. i wish you all the best of luck :)i know you will be successful!
Posted by: deirdre | June 02, 2009 at 10:47 AM
Best of luck to you. Glad to still have your handmade items on the market.
Posted by: Vivi | June 03, 2009 at 12:58 PM