.jpg){kind=small}
Women will have one less place to shop in downtown Sioux Falls. Susanne's will soon be closing its doors. It comes at a time when retail sales grew slightly last month. But despite the December gain, 2012 ended as the worst year for retail sales growth since the Great Recession ended more than three years ago. That has many wondering if there'll be more businesses that will follow.
Susanne's has been in business for more than 10 years in downtown Sioux Falls. That's why many people were surprised to see these signs in its store windows. But closing has nothing to do with hard times.
The owner of Susanne's wouldn't go on camera, but did tell KELOLAND News she's closing up shop for personal reasons in order to spend more time with family.
"We are definitely disappointed Susanne's is closing," Brienne Maner of Downtown Sioux Falls said.
Maner says Susanne's has been a good partner for downtown and shoppers shouldn't read too much into the signs hanging in the windows.
"All we can hope for is another business to move in that's of the same caliber," Maner said.
Maner says last year was a banner year for downtown with 24 new businesses opening, mostly commercial. She says there are also more than 1,300 people living in downtown and she says with more lofts going up, there'll be more people and shops in 2013.
"It's always sad to see someone go, but there are a lot of new things taking place," Maner said.
Right now, there is ten percent vacancy in downtown store fronts. But Maner says another boutique from Chamberlain is going to be opening soon. Plus, a French Pastry Shop is going to be moving into the old New York Express store on Phillips Avenue in March. That'll be owned by Chris Hanmer, winner of Bravo TV's season two Top Chef.
Comments