Rising Stars children’s store, a fixture in Phinney Ridge for the last 15 years, is closing its doors at the end of April, due to the economy. The store, at 7321 Greenwood Ave. N., will celebrate its 15th anniversary this weekend with a sale and cake.
Photo courtesy Rising Stars.
Owner Elonna Marci-Salmon sent us a copy of the letter she sent to her customers this morning.
Dear Friends,
This weekend we celebrate our 15th Anniversary in the neighborhood! We will have cupcakes or cake and offer 15% off items in the store, April 1, 2nd and 3rd. Our hours are Fri & Sat, 10 – 6, and Sunday, 11 – 4, and we hope that you can stop by to shop and say hello.
In addition, this anniversary is somewhat bittersweet. As many of you know, we have struggled to maintain Rising Stars, and the stock we like to carry in this dire economy. When the tides turned economically, now over three years ago, we tried to be creative to meet the changes, first shrinking our square footage into the original Rising Stars space, then moving across the street when our old space became financially prohibitive. We have so appreciated your support as our business flexed and adjusted.
However, we have seen the economy slow, and slow again, without reaching bottom we feel. As a result, our business is suffering, and has for some time. We find it necessary to close the doors after 15 years of business in Phinneywood.
We are thankful to have been part of your family’s lives, to have known many of you and shared birthdays, baby showers, school news, and receive parenting tips. It has meant so much to us to feel part of a community of families here in Phinney, and in the larger community of schools in North Seattle.
In addition, it has been an honor to know and support many creative moms with cottage industries in Seattle, and sell their creations here at the store. From animal towels, flannel burp cloths, lavender-filled bears, contrast-leg tights, jewelry, to organic baby clothing, these wholesale consignors have brought interest and energy to shopping locally at Rising Stars.
We will be closing as of Friday, April 28th and urge you to come shop in this time. Not only would we love to see you and say goodbye, but we urgently need the support. Consignors and gift certificate holders are urged to come use their credit or gift certificate amounts. We will be spending the next few days boxing up current consignment items to be returned to each consignor. We can offer credit only at this time through April 28th. We apologize to those who prefer to cash out their consignment but financially, it is simply not possible. We are glad that we have new stock and furnishings, basketry, holiday decor, etc. to offer.
We have been so grateful to own a business that the community has valued for 15 years, and to know many of the families in the neighborhood. We will be leaving on that thankful note. Remember to stop by this weekend for cake and 15% off your shopping!
With warm regards,
Elonna Marci-Salmon & Jay Salmon, owners
Rising Stars
11 responses so far ↓
1 Greenwood // Mar 31, 2011 at 10:17 am
Geez. This is a real bummer. Very sorry to see the store closing. Hope Metropolis is hanging in there.
2 PhinneyRidgian // Mar 31, 2011 at 1:34 pm
I think this is a wake up call. If you enjoy the small, unique shops in our neighborhood, you need to patronize them. Metropolis has some lovely new products in the store, Zak and Zoe has lots of lovely things for your pets, Labels has great clothing deals, and the list goes on and on. If we all made a point of going out and shopping, even if it’s something small, it could help the rest of our neighborhood weather the recession. Otherwise, we’re going to see a lot more empty storefronts.
3 PhinneyNeighbor // Mar 31, 2011 at 3:13 pm
Zak and Zoe not only has lovely things, they have food and will deliver. My dog thought is was magic when I came home from work and went out to get the mail and there was a bag of dog food there for her
I walk up there to get other stuff but the 30 pound bag is more than I want to carry home.
4 sezdog // Mar 31, 2011 at 5:19 pm
I’d like to add that I found Zak & Zoe’s book selection to be superb!
5 iheartgreenwood // Mar 31, 2011 at 8:32 pm
SO sad! I love this place! Yes,let’s all support our local businesses. (I love Zak and Zoe, too. And Metropolis. And Labels.) Will def. stop in Rising Stars to shop while it’s still here.
6 Tahomajim // Apr 1, 2011 at 7:35 am
It is very sad, but……
Here’s an opportunity for yet another coffee shop or pub on Greenwood. [:-(
7 Terry // Apr 1, 2011 at 8:46 am
It is a very tough retail climate for all small businesses that are brick and morter. Very few small bookstores left (support Santoro’s) very few greeting card stores left (support Metropolis, celebrating 30 years this month) plenty of coffee shops and pubs. Our shops need regular customers, not just once a year and think everything is fine just because you are still there with the door open and the utility bills to pay. The neighborhood is your backbone and it needs an adjustment!
8 soggydoggy // Apr 1, 2011 at 10:42 am
this is a good illustration of community needing to support itself…. from suppliers and service providers, to the retail outlet owners, to the folks in the neighborhood. think globally, act locally- not just a bumpersticker….
9 PhinneyRidgian // Apr 1, 2011 at 5:04 pm
We’re trying to make a real effort to spend our money in the neighborhood. We buy produce from Theo’s, cards and other lovely stuff (bamboo bags!) from Metropolis, clothing (for me) from Labels, and books and munchies from the Couth Buzzard. The couth, by the way, has GREAT music every weekend!
10 PhinneyRidgian // Apr 1, 2011 at 5:05 pm
ps–and new books at Santoro’s!
11 Neighbs // Apr 6, 2011 at 9:06 am
Rising Stars will be missed!
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