PACIFIC GROVE, Calif. -- Patrick's Consignment Store in Pacific Grove's been operating for almost 24 years. The owner told Central Coast News, she never thought she'd see the day she'd be putting up a "Quitting Business" sale sign.
"I ran up all my credit lines to keep this place open. And so now I'm in financial trouble, but you know that's not the point," said Stacy Strauch, business owner.
The point is, Stacy Strauch is torn over the situation and the customers she will no longer serve. To her, Patrick's consignment store is her second home. Her father started the business in the 80's, but she must close it for good by the end of the month.
"The recession hit and I could slowly see our numbers start to decrease, and whereas we were averaging a 1,000 to 1,500 a day. I mean we were having 30 dollar days, 15 dollar days," explained Strauch.
And that wasn't going to be enough to pay for her $4,500 a month rent. After negotiations with her landlord didn't work out, there was no other choice but to close. It was news longtime customers didn't take lightly.
"You know, it's the old school stuff. And now that it's going to disappear it's kind of sad actually. It shouldn't be closing; it should be open for another 20 years," said longtime customer Eric Sheele.
The landlord hoped that too. He told Central Coast News he did everything he could to make sure the business stayed open. But after falling behind over $25,000 in rent, he said he couldn't afford it.
"We worry every month, is the rent coming in, is the rent not coming in? How are we going to make our payments? We have to keep the bankers happy; it's a strain on us too," said Frank Kocher, Landlord.
Meanwhile, Strauch is trying to remain positive and is thinking about opening up the store again if the economy picks up.
