Heather Carder is hopeful that one day Oak Harbor’s historic downtown will be a vibrant shopping district and tourist destination.
As a business owner, however, Carder said she is no longer willing to wait it out.
This month, after three years, she and Greg Lanza, co-owners of the Noble Horse Gallery, closed their equestrian lifestyle boutique on Pioneer Way.
It was a business decision based entirely on lack of sales at the retail outlet, said Carder, adding the business does well online and at equestrian events across the country.
The store returned to 80-acre Wildwood Farm on Happy Valley Road in Oak Harbor.
“When you kind of lose money three years in a row (at the store), you figure it’s probably not a good idea to stay here,” Carder said.
The move also impacts the Downtown Merchants Association. Carder served as president this past year.
“The bylaws say you have to own a store downtown,” Carder said. “I don’t know who is going to take up the reins.”
Real estate agent Kathy Collantes, vice president of the Downtown Merchants, said she has other commitments and won’t move up to president, but added there are many promising candidates.
It’s not a cause for concern that another business has closed downtown, but it is a loss, she said.
“It’s sad because Heather and Greg are very active,” Collantes said.
“Their store just contributed to downtown. It was so unique and so wonderful. But I think there are many good, talented merchants down here, so we won’t have a problem finding a new leader.”
Carder used to operate her store in Seattle and said she understands the clothing, art, jewelry and other items in her store might have been priced too high for local clientele.
Also, the tourist impact downtown wasn’t enough to justify the overhead costs.
“It was hard for people to see past the price tag.”
Carder sees a positive step in Oak Harbor’s recent commitment to become a Main Street city and sees other promising signs with a new restaurant recently opening on Pioneer Way as well as Whidbey Coffee’s expansion project.
But, she said, it was not enough to keep her shop open.
She and Lanza, however, are entertaining other ideas for a business downtown.
“You probably haven’t heard the last from us,” Carder said.
