New Haven Head Shop/Futon Store Closing

NEW HAVEN, CT — Rubber Match Waterbeds and Futons is closing its doors after 45 years in business.

The store was originally opened as a head shop on Edgewood Avenue and then moved to the Rubber Match building on Whalley Avenue, according to the New Haven Independent.

Owner George Zito blamed the closure on high taxes in New Haven and the Internet in his going out of business video on Facebook.

"My heart is broken, but thank you family and friends for your support all these years," he said.

Zito also suffered from bad losses during the 2008 recession, according to the Independent. The store used to sell $50,000 or $60,000 a month on dorm amenities, but sales have declined with the Internet.

His business wasn't helped when Ikea moved nearby.

At the height of business in the 1970's the store had three floors of waterbeds, according to the New Haven Register.

Zito eventually plans to move to Florida with his wife.

Read the full Independent story here.

Read the full Register story here.

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