mom-and-pop: July 2009 Archives

In a move sure to sadden music and garden merchandise fans alike, the iconic Fountains of Wayne closed this spring. Located in Wayne, New Jersey, Fountains of Wayne had been selling outdoor items since the 1960s. The store closed in March and underwent an inventory liquidation in April.

The store attained a new level of fame when a power pop band from the region adopted its name. Fountains of Wayne, the band, has had a celebrated career including the pop hit "Stacy's Mom." The store also appeared in "The Sopranos."

The economic downturn is hitting local stores especially hard. Saddest among those affected are the decades-old establishments suddenly facing bankruptcy or liquidation. Recent news affects a variety of beloved and longtime stores around the country:

• Washington, D.C.'s Apartment Zero is closing its District location after 10 years in business. The owners vow to continue online and may open another location, but in the meantime, the items in store are being liquidated.
• Out in Billings, Montana, Sutton's Sportswear is closing, two and a half years after its original owners sold the store. Sutton's, which made its own line of clothes, had been around since 1981.
• Aurora, Illinois' Montgomery Ace has started its going-out-of-business sale. The store, which had been a go-to for hardware and housewares, had been operating since the 1970s. [added 2:09 p.m.]
• And in Decatur, Illinois, 121-year-old Wyker's Toys closed for good on Tuesday. Wyker's had been family-run since 1888, when it first opened as a hardware store. The owners cite the economy and changing shopping habits as contributing to the store's demise.