Moulton's General Store Going Out of Business
 Moulton's General Store will likely be closed by the end of August. The business was put up for sale last month. |
"It's time for us to close rather than deal with it all fall and winter," said Mark Moulton, who owns the business with his wife, Catherine. "It was a tough decision to make."
The shop in the former J.J. Newberry space at 77 Main St. was placed on the market a month ago with Century 21 Harold Dupee Realtors for $74,900, inventory included.
Moulton said they'd had a few inquiries but nothing firm. The couple had been hoping to keep the business open a bit longer until a buyer emerged but decided they didn't want to continue into the fall.
On Wednesday, a going-out-of-business sign was written in large yellow letters across large glass windows fronting the store. Everything inside was marked down 25 percent.
The business lasted longer than the Moultons had planned; they'd figured on about five years before selling and trying something else. Cathy Moulton wants to spend more time with their children and take a break from the long hours required to run the shop.
The store opened in 2002 and the Mark Moulton said they've tried changing hours and items and food offerings in an attempt to draw more business. They provided a launching pad for Cathy Moulton's sister, Janice Esoldi, who recently moved her candy business to 85 Main St. The store also took utility bills until June 1 as a public service. It may take them again for a short time at the request of National Grid if certain things can be worked out.
If not booming, business was sustainable until last fall, when the economic crisis led to a significant drop off in sales during the all-important holiday months.
Added to that, the creation of high-end condominiums above the shop increased the value and tripled the commercial taxes, said Moulton. Utility costs increased. There's also been a struggle over the rent with building owner Scarafoni Realty; the shop's been without a lease for two years.
Moulton still thinks the store is a great opportunity for someone willing to invest the time and energy. "If they had different ideas and could work the long hours, they could make it work," he said.
But the closing's bittersweet, considering the investment the couple put into the store. Moulton was frustrated and disappointed that the events designed to bring people downtown also drew loads of outside vendors, slicing into what should be boffo nights for local businesses.
"Why would they walk down to Moulton's to get ice cream if it's being sold right there [from a vendor or charity]?" he said. Yet, Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art around the corner is drawing tens if not hundreds of thousands people. "Just give us one percent of that!"
The general store will close by the end of August, leaving yet another empty storefront on Main Street. Hudson's Antiques is also expected to close, having opened a shop in Williamstown.
"This is not the way we wanted to go," said Moulton, who is still holding out hope that someone will see opportunity in a downtown general store.
