DOWNTOWN
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“People had other reasons or other issues,” she said. “I’m
not saying the economy didn’t play a part, but there were
other significant reasons for them.”
Some that closed included Next to Nothing, The Barkery,
Lafferandre Gallery, and Brush Strokes, whose owner retired.
Others simply found new ways to do business.
MAKING CHANGES
East Coast Lumber, in business since 1902, continues in its
traditional core business as a lumber yard but teamed with
Ace Hardware to add a full-line hardware store, fulfilling a
long-unmet need in the surrounding community.
East Coast Executive Vice President Allen Osteen said traffic
into the hardware store on Avenue A, which serves both
contractors and consumers, quadrupled in the eight weeks
since the store opened as an Ace Hardware. The store stocks
all the traditional hardware, electrical and plumbing products
plus the extras customers have come to expect. A grand opening
with events and a barbeque for charity are planned for
Jan. 28 and 29.
JoAnn Pagano closed her Brewer’s Café on Orange Avenue
but uses the same store to operate her successful catering
business. She opened in 2009 when business was booming at
the clerk of courts’ offices with all the foreclosures, but said
she saw her lunch trade drop off in 2010 as the foreclosure
rate slowed. When the new federal courthouse opens in January
2012, she may reopen the café, she said.
Karen Kane, who has owned Bed Bath and Kitchen, along
with Karen Kane Interiors, for 35 years is no stranger to adaptation.
Kane began her business in downtown Fort Pierce and
as shopping moved westward, she moved too until she ended >>
ED DRONDOSKI
East Coast Lumber filled a need in the downtown area by joining with
Ace Hardware to open a full-line hardware store.