INWOOD — Neighborhood staple Scavengers closed Sunday after 16 years of providing uptowners with antiques and collectibles.
Storeowner Lela Cooper said the decision to close the store, which has been located at 600 West 218th Street, was one that came naturally to her and her family. Cooper moved from Inwood to Stone Ridge in Ulster Country two years ago, and the two-hour commute was just too much.
The lease for the store was expiring at the end of the month, so the family decided not to renew it.
"It's kind of hard to carry on from a distance," Cooper said. "So with the lease expiring we decided it was time."
Cooper, originally from Pennsylvania, first opened the 400-square-foot store in 1997 and has since been providing locals with sheet music, books, teacups and collectibles.
While she's at peace with the decision to close up shop, Cooper, who lived in Inwood for 20 years, said that she and her family will miss the neighborhood.
"We love Inwood," Cooper said.
