MASON CITY – A business that had been located on the downtown plaza in Mason City is leaving for Clear Lake.
June 28th was the last day in business on the plaza for Encore Boutique, owned by Colleen Divine. The business opened on July 23rd, 2012. She has been busy in the days that followed, clearing out the space just north of Southbridge Mall at 14 South Federal Avenue, moving and selling what she could.
Ms. Divine will be setting up shop in Clear Lake at The Ladybug Marketplace, located at 1714 7th Avenue North. She told NIT she hopes to open soon, after a short vacation.
“It’s … about a quarter as much room, which is what I really need,” Ms. Divine said. “We’re going to miss our beloved plaza terribly, especially our terrific neighbors,” she continued, “but that’s just too much room for us now. Seriously, waaaay too much.”
Ms. Divine described the move as an “almost a complete change of the business model” and an “upscaling” of the items for sale, for which Clear Lake may be a better fit.
“It seemed like the perfect solution,” to take a space in The Ladybug Marketplace, which has other spots available at this time.
She will feature local artwork, and some of her own, in her new location in Clear Lake.
“I’ll try to have other people’s original work too, and some small antiques and music stuff. I’m already out of the plaza and taking a couple of weeks of vacation before I get things finished and set up at The Ladybug.”
The former location on the plaza is now one of three empty storefronts in a row there, all available for lease or rent.
[poll random]
Actually, the main reason is that most of the revenue comes from internet sales, so it made sense to go somewhere with lower overhead. Time of year doesn’t make much difference under those circumstances. Thank you.
Sincere Best wishes. I hope you are successful. So how do we find you On Line?
My family owned a business in Clear Lake for many years and believe me its feast or famine in that town. After Labor Day, you hope and pray you have made enough during the peak tourist season to at least pay your winter utility bills. I wish them well. Clear Lake businesses have their own issues, just like a location in MC. IMO
Oh bullshit… I go to Weasel’s Den Too all the time on the plaza.
Well here you go, another business leaving Mason Shitty for greener pastures. Will the last person out please turn out the lights. Funny how that works. Just very little reason to do downtown at all. No draw, no customers, no customers, no business.
Better get a sledgehammer. I’ve got tires you can pack as we rebuild the world in its new image. That’ll keep you busy.