Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Burnsie closes the Boca

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By JON DUVAL
Express Staff Writer

Ketchum Planning and Zoning Commission Co-Chairperson Deborah Burns closed her clothing shop Burnsie's Boca last week due to difficult financial hardship.

The women's fashion boutique, which Burns opened eight years ago, was on the corner of Fourth Street and Walnut Avenue. The building now sits vacant.

"I've been fighting for my life to stay open," Burns said Monday. "But it's so difficult for small businesses to get loans from banks right now."

In addition to the tight credit markets, Burns said the cost of renting space in Ketchum is an additional challenge to retailers.

"I just couldn't make it if everything stayed the same," Burns said. "The high rents make it hard for all local retailers. We really have to work with our landlords to help our businesses make it during the tough times."

Burns said her business suffered during summer 2007 because of the construction on the Fourth Street Heritage Corridor, which closed the street in front of her shop for a significant period of time, and because of the Castle Rock Fire.

"The series of events really put people behind the eight ball," Burns said. "At least now I don't have to sit on a collection until winter and be strapped by Christmas."

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Burns said she plans to open a similar store in Ketchum in the near future, but has not worked out enough of the details to disclose the project publicly.