Basketville upsets retail fabric in Sturbridge
Vermont firm’s closing caught town by surprise
In a town already reeling from declining tourism numbers, Sturbridge didn’t need more bad news.
That’s what they got, however, when retail anchor Basketville announced the closing of six of its eight retail stores, including the Sturbridge location. Basketville, commonly known as the world’s oldest basket company, did not announce a closing date nor return calls for comment.
"It was not uncommon to have to give our guests directions to Basketville," says Mike Harrington, Jr., development manager at the Publick House Historic Inn. "We’re not happy to see that they’re leaving."
The store sits on prime property on Rt. 20 and Main St., and occupies one of the larger spaces available in Sturbridge. Basketville, which sells baskets for anything from picnicking to holding firewood, still owns the building, and has informed city leaders that it will work with the town to find new tenants.
Paul Wykes, executive vice president of Old Sturbridge Village (OSV), says that the news came as a shock to him. Despite new tenants taking the place of stores that have closed in the past, none of them have had the presence that Basketville did, says Wykes.
"A store as visible as Basketville leaving is a concern," says Wykes. "It’s hard to market the region when you lose a key retailer like that."
"If [Basketville’s closing] were a trend, I’d be worried," says Paul Adams, spokesperson for OSV, who points to positive activity in the region, such as increased residential development.
Alexandra McNitt, executive director of the Tri-Community Chamber of Commerce, echoes the sentiment, saying that the recent wave of new developments point to forward momentum in the community, and that the Chamber is hopeful of new prospects for the empty space.
However, other retailers are not convinced. Mike Cimini, president of Yankee Spirits, says losing an anchor in the retail sector is a disappointment on many levels, not just on the potential decrease in foot traffic, but also in the loss of a store that his company used to make gift baskets at the holidays.
"We used them to buy baskets, and always got exactly what we needed," says Cimini. "With a wholesaler, you have to buy in gross amounts." Cimini adds that the town needs to maintain its unique colonial fabric, as that will allow the businesses to create cash flow from one another.
Of course, arguably the most affected stores are those sharing the closest proximity to Basketville, as noted by Wild Bird Crossing co-owner Nancy Cormier. The store, which sells birdseed, birdhouses and other outdoor supplies, sits almost across the street.
"It definitely will hurt not having that big store there," she says.
Jeffrey T. Lavery can be reached at jlavery@wbjournal.com
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