MASON CITY – A Cultural Crescent business is closing its doors.
River City Bagel announced that it will be out of business on September 21st; it has been open for just over a year.
The business announced its intention to close last week on Facebook. The post read “Sadly, River City Bagel will be closing its doors Saturday, September 21st. So hurry in for your favorite(s) before its too late!!”
Late this morning, River City Bagel reminded folks about one last special they could take advantage of. The post read “Going Out of Business” specials! Hope to see everyone at least one more time!”
River City Bagel will be open at 6:30 AM Tuesday, according to its Facebook page. A call to the business went unanswered.
At last count there were nearly 150 licensed food service establishments between Mason City and Clear Lake. They range from fast food to fine dining, complimentary breakfasts at Motels, coffee and prepared food at service stations and the list goes on and on. It is a competitive, savage industry. The suppliers want cash on delivery and the banks won’t give you a cash flow loan. All this and we keep building more, they come and they go.
MicroEnterprise, Downtown Association, Mason City Chamber, perhaps a little marketing rather than expecting people to just walk in your door, lack of differentiation with the last bagel shop, and “location, location, location”… all were working against this business. I knew as soon as Metalcraft moved to the other side of town, they lost a big account and it wouldn’t be long before they closed their doors. I believe this was the third bagel shop to go into this location, I wonder what will go there next.
@Concerned-Probably not much of a business. I believe it is in the flood zone and that makes the insurance kind of pricey.
@Small Business Owner-I complained about micro-enterprise for just this reason. The city put money into it and it does nothing for the majority of the people who need help. If you are not on the mayor or chambers good list you get no assistance. It is a waste of our tax money.
Just too many restraunts in town. New ones open, and others close. It gotta be a tough go for smaller places.
You ask what the city council could do different?
A very positive policy the City Council could do, stop giving tax dollars to business on the west side of town to compete for business downtown!
Had a very bad food experience there my first time visiting. Marcus was gracious about it but I just couldn’t go back.
Retail is a tough business model. The restaurant business is fiercely competitive. Marcus gave it a good effort. Sorry to see them close. They had good products and always were very friendly. Wish Marcus the best in the future.
Do you think the micro enterprise group could have saved it? I doubt it; there are many factors that decide if you are going to make it work. They just didn’t have what it took, is is never a good thing to see small businesses close their doors, it effects all those who were employed there.
Well Anonymous-they could start by lowering the fees (taxes) they charge small business and start doing things to help them instead of the big guys like the big retailers and Harley. They like to run off their mouths about how much good they have done and it is time to see some results. Not more closings.
To me some of these small businesses need new concepts. The bagel shop before went out of business so why did they think it wouldn’t happen again.
The Bagel Depot as it was called previous was around for a long time and they did very well. They didn’t go “out of business”, they after long consideration decided to close it due to other reasons. I think it was a good run for the new owner however something’s had changed, like the recipe’s (Chicken Salad) and you could definitely tell.
How does this news have anything to do with the council? How do you propose the council support existing business?
It’s too bad local business can’t make it in Mason City. It’s very difficult to operate and own a local business in Mason City. Council likes big named retail to make us a “retail destination” after all.
What is one more business closing when you already have so many. Our council should be very proud of themselves for this. They spend thousands on statues but can’t bring in or support existing business.
The microienterprises is designed to help business just like this one. Were they in the program? But yet LVS you complained about the micro-enterprise, should or should not the council give money to small businesses?