FORT GREENE — Fort Greene General Store is closing up shop after four years on Dekalb Avenue.
The store at 218 Dekalb Ave., a space that previously served as children's store Hank & Jojo, will close on April 28, according to owner Andriana Spence.
Spence said the rising costs of rent and running the business led her to shut the business down.
“When I sat down and really looked hard at the numbers, I just couldn’t deny the effect of rising costs on the business long term,” she said.
Spence said rent on the space takes up 25 percent of her gross sales. That, added to the cost of goods, payroll, insurance and other miscellaneous expenses leaves her with only a marginal profit.
“I have three children and both of my partners have families of our own,” she said. “We have to be realistic and focus on other businesses with less overhead so that we can grow our careers in ways to support our growing families.”
Spence, who still operates Hank & Jojo, said she is in the process of selling the children’s clothing brand and website to a company on the west coast.
She said the hardest part of closing down was leaving the neighborhood, which has become her second home over the years.
“I absolutely love being a part of the neighborhood in this way,” Spence said. “This store has been my second home, my office, a lot of things for me for the last four years.”
Meanwhile, Spence said she and her business partners are looking forward to starting on a new path.
Spence will continue to run Camp Fort Greene, a local summer camp. Partners Rebecca Cherewka and Anne Woodman will also keep their respective side businesses, Honeysuckle and Hearts Vintage and Anne Woodman Jewelry Design, going.
For now, Spence said the shop is marking down its entire inventory, including all its fixtures.
Shop cat Rebecca, a 13-year-old tortoiseshell cat who’s lived at Fort Greene General Store for the last year, is also looking for a new home. If you’re interested in adopting Rebecca, send an email to hello@FortGreeneGeneralStore.com.
