DaSilva's Coffee House Closes Doors Due To Economic Struggles

The dour economy has taken its toll on a number of businesses in the Bloomingdale Patch area, forcing them to close their doors.

The latest victim of the financial downturn is the 6-year-old DaSilva's Coffee House, Roastery and Cafe, which put a permanent "Closed" sign on its doors earlier this month.

"It is with a heavy heart that we are announcing that DaSilva’s Coffee House, Roastery, and Café had to close our doors...," wrote the owners, Kevin and Bonnie Brownell, Dan and Ivy Bartlett and Bart and Charity Rice on their Web site. Read the farewell from Dasilva’s on the Website.

"The main reason for closing our doors is the economy over the past two years has not allowed us to continue to grow our business," the couples wrote to their customers. "It has become very difficult to reach a level of profitability that allows us to continue operating and providing the level of service that you are use to."

Dasilva’s was a popular community hangout, a destination place for get-togethers, client meetings, group meetings and anyone with a lap top who wanted Wi-Fi access.

Last month, Linda Wright, owner of Cork & Olive, 3468 Lithia-Pinecrest Road, in Lithia Crossing was forced to close due to similar financial reasons. Despite being an active member of community and contributing to dozens of nonprofit groups, Wright said she simply did not get the support from the community that she needed to keep her doors open.

A few doors down, owner Jo Ann Talley of the Learning Express, 3446 Lithia-Pinecrest Road, made the same tough decision based on economic circumstances.

Popular FishHawk girly chic boutique, Bella Garden, 5664 Fishhawk Crossing Blvd., Lithia, owned by Maria Malec, closed its doors earlier this year. Bella Garden had been an active community supporter, hosting fundraisers for A Kid's Place and various breast cancer charities.