The retail churn continues on Orchard Street. Before the end of the year, jewelry store Delicate Raymond decided to quit the Lower East Side. Michelle Raymond, who operated out of 73A Orchard St. for a couple of years, told us recently:
I decided to close the shop after Christmas. (I) was having a tough time on that block, very slow foot traffic. I was offered an opportunity to move into a space in the Mini Mall in Williamsburg and jumped on it. I was sad to close the shop — made lots of great friends in the neighborhood and met some lovely clients who seem to be following me to Brooklyn, so I think it was the best for me. In the 2.5+ years I spent on Orchard, I have seen most of the small boutiques close shop and move to Brooklyn. Most of the owners quoted the same problems I was having with the space. Orchard Street WAS a major shopping destination “back in the day,” which is what I heard from lots of the locals, but now it’s mostly galleries and bars.
Just last month, our readers voted Delicate Raymond “best jewelry designer.” If you’re a fan of the store, you can reach Michelle via her website.
Sad, considering the LES BID is steps away from her store. The BID does nothing to promote foot traffic or assist business owner. You just have to wonder what the employees of the BID are doing, and the Board is just a bunch of real estate owners.