TMCnet News
The Post-Crescent, Appleton, Wis., Biz Buzz column(Post-Crescent, The (Appleton, WI) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Dec. 19--The annual Buzz In and Out list was so large, we had to split it into two parts. We're starting this week with the bad news, the closures. Next week, we end the year on a happier note with a review of new businesses that came to life, opened or expanded in 2008. It's notable that the closure list is significantly longer than in years past. Declining sales and a tough economy either contributed directly or indirectly to businesses shutting down. The recession made customers weary, and they were unwilling or unable to spend money as freely as in the past. --Nationals go As national companies failed, they shuttered Fox Cities' branches. Sometimes it happened quickly, and at other times it was drawn out with never-ending going-out-of-business sales. Wilsons the Leather Experts and Urban Behavior closed abruptly in the Fox River Mall. Linens 'N Things will wrap up its going-out-of-business sale later this month. Steve & Barry's was sold in August to a group of investors who tried to keep stores open, but failed. The Grand Chute branch is liquidating merchandise now. In restaurants, Grand Chute's Ponderosa closed as part of its national chain's cost-cutting moves under Chapter 11. Tumbleweed Southwest Grill went down with six others in the Wisconsin/Illinois region in November. Grand Chute's Bakers Square served its last slice of pie in August when its parent, bankrupt Viacorp in Denver, closed branches. Boston's Pizza followed its Ashwaubenon sister restaurant into history. More departed franchises or branches of national chains: Appleton's Figaro's Pizza, Petland, Madison Tanning Company, LA Weight Loss, Fuzziwig's Candy Factory, P.B. Loco Peanutbutterlicious Cafe, Yakety Yak Wireless, Hollywood Video on Memorial Drive, Avenue (a women's clothing store) and mall food court branches of Taco Bell and Arby's. --Furniture woes Furniture stores and home decor stores suffered. A number of local and national closures included Furnishings by Ludwig, Home Furniture and England Custom Furniture Direct. Kirkland's in the Fox River Mall closed when its parent axed 130 stores. Home Concepts in Grand Chute and Fantasies Home Decor Gallery in downtown Appleton also cleared out. Bassett Furniture Direct held a lengthy going-out-of-business sale until early August. Its owners were charged by police with taking orders for furniture that didn't exist during the liquidation, and a fraud investigation is still active. --Locals depart Locally owned restaurants, shops and grocers also closed. Some were hit by the slowing economy. Others said it was time to retire, lost leases or had other issues that caused them to lock the doors. In restaurants, that included Sammy's Pizza in Appleton, shut after 50 years in business. More closures included Fox's Pizza Den in Greenville, Opal Moon, The Vault, Sassy Sal's, Casa Di Luigi, PJ's Cafe & Catering, Gulliver's Grill & Bar, Sky Club East and the Panchero's branch in Grand Chute. Watering holes that went dark include Pete's, Mr. Big's and Pulse Nightclub. Volume 1 was gutted by fire and closed. While no restaurant came and went with the breathtaking speed of 2006's Charlie's & The Bourbon Street Grill, which lasted 42 days in downtown Appleton, a few this year have come close. Spinner's Bait Shop & Bar in Grand Chute opened in late September and closed in early December. Gibson Bar & Grill opened in February and closed in July. La Cabana lasted seven months before it closed in December. --Closed shops More businesses threw in the towel: The Bead Boutique, Soul Purpose Organics, Salon Moxie, Helein Jewelers, Gym-Kids, Tan Lines, Greenville Floral & Greenhouses, Dog Lounge, The Children's Bookshop, Yoganics Hawaii, The Brides in Appleton, Bridal Staircase in Kaukauna, Goosebumps, Blue Diamond Auto Sales, EZ Lube in Appleton, Kimberly's Undercover Skatepark, Pangaea A Salon, Bittersweet and The Meadows. Ford Pharmacy and Kimberly Pharmacy closed, selling their prescription lists to Shopko's pharmacy. --Status unknown Phone numbers for The Vineyard banquet facility and its sister business The Mobile Chef were disconnected in October and its owners, who were embroiled in their own internal squabbles, never returned calls to definitively pinpoint the status of the facility going forward. --Eyesore no more One of the most positive departures of the year is the dilapidated former Kmart building on West College Avenue in Appleton. Demolition began this month. No future building plans have been filed with the city for the site. Maureen Wallenfang: 920-993-1000, ext. 287, or [email protected] To see more of The Post-Crescent, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.postcrescent.com. Copyright (c) 2008, The Post-Crescent, Appleton, Wis. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email [email protected], call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA. |