Co-owner Monica Nenni told the Journal-News that she has enjoyed growing the business at 1118 Central Ave. with her mother, Cecelia Vogelsang Nenni, but “running a successful retail shop is challenging even in the best of times.”
MORE: ‘People have been eager’: More business reopenings lead to larger-than-expected crowds
“I think that many small businesses who operate on paper thin margins felt the same hardships that we did when our business was closed for nearly three months,” Nenni said. “It is a difficult situation to recover from.”
The business will still collect and sell vintage through its Etsy store at www.etsy.com/shop/GoldBeretBoutique, but "just can't afford" rent without enough sales to sustain a storefront, she said.
Gold Beret Boutique will offer a sale of 50 percent off all items storewide from noon to 4 p.m. today, Friday and Saturday.
Monica Nenni also owns downtown Middletown’s West Central Wine next door at 1120 Central Ave., which she said is her primary focus.
MORE: Butler County Fair cancellation: Event will miss first summer since 1851
“Keeping that business alive and thriving as we transition into a new normal is most important to me and I want to be able to focus all of my efforts there,” she said.
Starting today, West Central Wine will be open for weekend dine-in from 4 to 10 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Reservations are recommended, but customers may walk in for limited availability seating at the bar. Curbside carryout also is available.
About the Author
