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Community Corner

Two Businesses Close in The Village, Third Closing in Coming Months

The economy is still to blame for closures, while some reasons are more personal.

By Jan. 1, the grills went cold, the wine stopped pouring, and the doors closed forever at The Parlour Wine and Bistro.

On Dec. 1, 2011, Village Bridal transitioned from a full bridal service to an "off the rack" bridal shop as it prepares to close in the coming months.

On Dec. 31, 2011 Martha's Candies moved out of its shop after defaulting on payments. The store reportedly hadn't made a profit in three years.

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As these businesses have closed or will close for various reasons, more empty store fronts are being seen along Glendora Avenue.

The Parlour

The Parlour Wine and Bistro, nestled away at 216 N. Glendora Avenue, set out to be "the best location in Glendora" to buy wine and dine on a wide range of foods. The restaurant had only been open for two and a half years.

The Parlour's former owner Cathleen Newman said in a newsletter to customers that the decision was a difficult one, but in the end it was necessary to close the Parlour to fully realize future projects being offered to her.

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Newman said she was contracted by a television production company's creative and development team for a show focused on food and wine. Newman also has launched a blog devoted to her passion, wine, and keeping in touch with her former customers.

"The Parlour was a launching pad for me to share my love and enthusiasm … which I have been able to do for the last two and a half years," Newman said in a newsletter.

Village Bridal

, in business for three years, was actually doing well, especially while opening and operating during a recession. Being more of a destination place, according to owner Jennifer Henckel, the family-owned business didn't really rely on the walk-by traffic at the Village.

"If people are coming here, they are coming specifically for a wedding gown," Henckel said. "We've actually enjoyed a pretty steady increase in our business and that's just from word of mouth."

The decision to close was difficult, but necessary. Co-owner Debbie Phillips is moving to Philadelphia to be with her husband, who transferred out there two years ago. As for daughter Jennifer, she is expecting her second child and does not wish to hire a full-time and part-time employee to help and have her daughters in daycare.

"It would be more out of my pocket and my girls wouldn't have me. When we started a business we decided family was always going to come first," Henckel said.

Martha's Candies

, a fixture in Glendora for about 40 years, closed at the end of December. Owner Pamela Ganas bought the store three years ago as a channel to sell homemade sweets and other sugary treats, but in that time she failed to make a return on her investment.

"The economy is horrible," Ganas said in a recent Tribune article. "People are loyal, but they like to window shop ... so they're not buying as much."

The shop's closure may be temporary as new ownership will be filling the vacant store to carry on the moniker.

"I grew up in Glendora and we couldn’t bear to see it go out of business," said new owner Joyanne Postajian.

While Postajian and her mother Jana Jones renovate the candy shop, Postajian believes that previous management had more to do with the shop's financial woes than the economy.

"I just think it could have been managed better," said Postajian.

Gayl Swinehart, director of events for the Business Improvement District, agrees that when a business closes for economic reasons, it is a sign of the times.

"The economy is not improving. Generally the economy is not helping us,' Swinehart said. "We have a 7 percent increase over last year -- we're still down over two years ago. I don't think everyone's doing great."

In 2011, Neufeld's Promenade, a jewelry and gift shop closed down after the owner's mother, Ruth Neufeld, passed away. Painted Moon, an art supply store, closed May 21 after a decade of business in Glendora.

City officials said they have taken the steps to keep costs down for businesses and residents.

Events such as the , , Halloween Walk, Glendora's Got Talent, July 4th Jubilee and re all meant to help increase exposure to the Village.

Swinehart said that the Halloween Walk alone brought in around 6,000 children, while the Holiday Stroll may have brought around 8,000. Officials expect 1,500 attendees at the Wine Walk in February.

"I don't know if what we're seeing now is more than what goes on at other times, but the fact is that we are coming out of a recession," said Jeff Kugel, director of planning and redevelopment. "Not all businesses survive a recession."

is being completely renovated as part of a plan approved in 2009. When completed, the Manor will have two smaller suites in the front and back and include rooftop dining.

"Businesses come and go. There's always a vacancy factor in any shopping area," Kugel said. "We want to do whatever we can to try and support the businesses in the city and the Village."

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