Sun, Apr 24, 2005

Chain stores, sales tax take toll on New Hartford gift shop

ALLISSA KLINE
Observer-Dispatch

NEW HARTFORD -- In mid-May, the pink door trimmed with a spring wreath at 22 Campion Road will close for good.

After nine years of business, the owners of My Sister's Secret Gift Shoppe have decided to call it quits, citing heavy competition from chain, discount and online stores, as well as Oneida County's newly imposed 9.75 percent sales tax.

"We first felt a hit with online shopping," co-owner Kelly Deck of New Hartford said. "As the years progressed, in came Wal-Mart and other discounters. And the last nail in the coffin was the sales tax."

Now, everything in the gift shop must go, including a number of furniture pieces such as book shelves, dressers and stands. Customers who walk in are told about the 25 percent additional discount on most items. Some tell Deck they're sad to see the shop go.

Even as stock dwindles and shelves empty, the charm of the converted house remains. In the back, a stack of woven baskets hangs near a kitchen sink and in the bathroom, a claw-foot tub holds stuffed animals and gift baskets for babies.

Deck and her sister, Colleen Wuest, will continue to sell their popular beaded bracelets with poems at several sites throughout the state, including local stores such as Peter's Cornucopia in the New Hartford Shopping Center and The Shoppes at the Finish Line in Utica, Deck said. Shops in Lake Placid, Lake George and Skaneateles also will carry the bracelets, she said.

Each bracelet comes with a personal poem -- be it for Mom, Sister or Sister-in-Law -- written and copyrighted by Deck. Her latest poems are written for graduations and first communions.

The house and land at 22 Campion Road are for sale, and while there's been some interest from a few people, Deck said nothing is definite yet.

Deck said she can't blame the upcoming closing on her customers -- or lack thereof.

"I think a lot of people really want to support local business people," she said. "But they are so pressed for time, it's easier for them to pick up something at Wal-Mart while they're grocery shopping. It's not really anybody's fault."

The gift shop will be open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday until it closes in May.

©Observer-Dispatch 2005

 

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