After less than a year in business Bella Collections on Fairfield Avenue in Black Rock is closing.
“We tried. I put a lot of money into it but some months it doesn't even cover the rent,” said Bonnie Gabrys, co-owner of the shop.
In general, the shop has had a rough time, she said. Since opening last October, Gabrys said she still isn’t drawing a salary.
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Moreover, a dearth of walk-in people and a lack of parking also led to the decision to close, she said.
To help clear the floor, Gabrys said she's holding a giant sale. Everything from the store's personal collection is discounted between 50 and 70 percent.
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In retrospect, Gabrys said she might have done more to publicize the store. If she opens again, it will be closer to the Post Road, she said. For the time being, she will concentrate on estate sales.
Gabrys opened the consignment shop in October 2010, with Lisa Restivo. Restivo is the ex-wife of Keith Restivo. They were the former co-owners of Cafe Tavolini located down the street. That restaurant closed just two months after celebrity chef Gordon Ramsey filmed an episode of “Kitchen Nightmares” there.
One customer said, despite the shop's closing, she still has unfinished business with Bella.
“I haven’t been paid,” said Sharol Harwood, who consigned two paintings for her former boss more than a month ago.
Harwood said she recently visited the store to follow up on whether the paintings had been sold at auction and, if so, for how much. Calls to a cell phone number purported to be Restivo’s weren’t returned.
Gabrys said it’s true many customers like Harwood are inquiring about payment. She insisted every person who consigned with Bella Collections would be paid.
Nevertheless, Harwood has filed an online complaint with the Attorney General’s office.
According to the Better Business Bureau’s website, there was one customer complaint during the past year regarding billing/collection issues. The customer was not named on the site and the case was closed.
“BBB determined that despite the company's reasonable effort to address complaint issues, the consumer remained dissatisfied,” according to the BBB website.
