HASTINGS-ON-HUDSON, N.Y. With small businesses at a premium in the villages, yet another will be closing its doors as Refind in Hastings plans to shut down by the end of next month. Refind, which is owned and operated by Jack Globenfelt along with his wife Lisa, will be closing down for good by mid to late March.
Weve been doing it for three years and things didnt seem to be improving, Globenfelt said. The economy is down, thats pretty much it, peoples buying habits have changed slightly.
Although Globenfelt is semi-retired from his other profession in entertainment, he has put in long hours running Refind over the years.
Three years, I think there have been a couple days when I havent worked, he said. You work on days the store isnt open too, looking for merchandise, going to trade shows. Were here sometimes until two oclock, three oclock in the morning just putting in new inventory.
This closing will not effect Chelsea's, which the Globenfelts own as well, on Warburton Avenue. With the Spring Street shop going out of business along with Festivities on Main Street there has been a run of small businesses closing up recently.
I think it effects everybody negatively, the people, the spirit of the town and of course the business owners, said Lis Furman, a Hastings resident for the past 16 years.
Furman was browsing the racks of unique clothing as she detailed her preference for the smaller locally owned stores spread throughout the villages.
I like the individuation of the products, I also like helping out the local people rather than the big corporations, she said. We have enough Best Buys and Staples.
The decision to close Refind was not an easy one and Globenfelt said its the customers that he will miss the most once all is said and done.
The people, the customers, weve made a lot of friendships, he said. We specialize in unique things that you cant find in your box stores, so finding stuff like that is always fun.
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