2009 brought changes to Montpelier's downtown businesses
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Susan Lawrence stands next to a display shelf in her Montpelier store, Phoenix Rising, where items were marked down by sticky notes by as much as 75 percent. Lawrence is closing the store soon to move to Florida to marry her college sweetheart. The past year has seen numerous comings and goings in the downtown business scene. KYLE MARTEL/TIMES ARGUS |
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By SUSAN ALLEN TIMES ARGUS STAFF - Published: December 29, 2009
MONTPELIER – As the economic downturn was pounding businesses across the nation and Vermont, 2009 was a year characterized by resiliency for the businesses in Montpelier's historic downtown district.
"I would say that we were much more resilient than the rest of the country," said Suzanne Eikenberry, executive director of Montpelier Alive. "That's not to say it was an easier year, but we weathered the storm much better."
Some businesses opened this year, including the jewelry shop The Compass Rose on State Street, which took over the space left when Shaline bridal shop moved across the street.
In addition, the Ben & Jerry's scoop shop in City Center closed this year, but was replaced by The Skinny Pancake, a restaurant which features order-at-the-counter crepes. And this spring, the Three Penny Taproom moved into the Main Street space left vacant when Damsel's clothing store moved to Burlington. Three Penny is best known for its specialty beers.
Some businesses that had been for sale found new owners in 2009.
Village Pizza was bought in September by Dave Wendt, who was looking for a business opportunity after a military career.
"I just retired after 26 years with Air National Guard … I reached a point where I wanted to do something different," Wendt said Monday. "Mom and Pops are too expensive. In April, I noticed this was for sale. One thing led to another."
Wendt bought the restaurant, which is located in the City Center building on the East State Street side, from Shane Brothers. He is currently renovating the interior, plans to open on Sundays beginning in late January, and is currently "tweaking" the menu.
"I am having the time of my life," he said of the new venture. "It's just great. The stress level is nonexistent for me."
And The Savoy Theater was also recently sold, with Rick Winston and his wife, Andrea Serota selling to Montpelier filmmaker Terry Youk. Youk said he plans to raise the screen to a higher level to improve visibility, and make changes to the sound system. He also hopes to add a screen in the basement area and host film groups.
In addition, The Inn at Montpelier sold in February to Karel and John Underwood, keeping the historic buildings together and intact on Main Street.
A few businesses closed or decided this year to shut down in the near future.
The Lazy Pear Gallery on Main Street is closing on Jan. 10 to allow owners Robert Hitzig and Mary Jo Krolewski to focus on production of their own art. Hitzig said Monday that the pair has no plans to sell the building, which includes the first-floor gallery and four upstairs apartments. He has a studio in the garage behind the building.
"We haven't decided what to do with the space," he said. "We want to continue using some of the space ourselves for display and studio space, as well."
Hitzig and Krolewski have owned the art gallery for four years.
"I'm not sad about it. It's time to do something else with my time," Hitzig said. "It's definitely something I'm looking forward to."
He said the gallery has not produced enough income to hire a staffer or pay the two owners a salary.
The dismal economy, he said, "certainly didn't help. Regardless of the economy, I couldn't foresee a point where we could make enough that we could hire somebody to work here or even take a salary. It's hard to run a business when you can't take a salary."
Also closing is Phoenix Rising, a new age gift shop on State Street owned by Susan Lawrence for 14 years.
"I have a very happy ending," Lawrence said Monday. "I am moving away, to Florida, marrying my college sweetie. So I have a happy new beginning."
Lawrence said she will miss the customers and friends she has developed in Montpelier. "There are feelings of sadness in losing the friendships. Part of it is I'm moving away and I've established relationships with wonderful customers … you can't imagine."
She said she was unaware if any potential renters plan to fill the space when she leaves. Lawrence was in the final days Monday of a clearance sale at the store in preparation for the closing.
Earlier this year, the landmark Somers Hardware store closed its Main Street door in October after 70 years in the heart of the downtown, selling to neighboring Aubuchon Hardware. Aubuchon kept the Somers' space and is renovating the area; a blue tarp still covered the outside of the Somers' portion of the building Monday.
Other changes downtown included the move by GuitarSam music store from its former interior City Center location to a more prominent site, where Stevens & Co. had been on Main Street. Stevens & Co., meanwhile, closed its retail operation, and moved its dry cleaning, rental and custom fitting business into a space shared with neighboring No. 9 Boutique on Main Street.
Eikenberry said it's still too soon to know how the businesses will actually fare as the end of 2009 looms, because the Christmas and post-Christmas sales information hasn't been compiled.
"What I heard from businesses was very different from one business to another on how this year went for them, and how this Christmas went for them," she said. In general, however, "Christmas did feel OK, from what I've heard."
She said being located downtown in a vibrant city like Montpelier helps businesses, in part by offering events and other 'draws' to bring shoppers to the city's center.
And her hope for 2010?
"My hope, obviously, is that the national economy rebounds," she said.
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