Thorpes And Verdi Is Going Out Of Business

Thorpes and Verdi, the gift shop that occupies the former Methodist Church building on Main Street, will be closing down, according to a phone message on the store's answering machine.

"Regrettably, I must inform all of our valued customers, friends and vendors that Thorpes and Verdi is going out of business," said Tony Verdi, the store owner, on the shop's voicemail message this week. "Deciding to close the store was not an easy decision to make and I want to thank you in advance for your patience and support during the coming months."

Verdi could not be reached for comment. A sign on the door confirmed the phone message. The voice mail message said the store would be closed until March 1, when it will re-open for a clearance sale. It is unclear how long the store will stay open.

Thorpes and Verdi opened in the former Methodist Church building on the corner of Main and Queen streets in November of 2009 after a protracted appeal of its approval for a parking variance from the Zoning Board. The appeal, brought by Dave and Marie Schaller, owners of the Chocolate Delicacy, ended up in Superior Court. While a judge agreed with the merits of the appeal, he lifted the injunction that was keeping the gift shop closed in late November. In February, the Zoning Board passed an amended variance.

The building is owned by Tony Verdi's brother, Chad. He has plans to turn the back of the building into residential housing and office space. Thorpe's first opened as a drug store in 1959, according to Martha MacPartland's book "The History of East Greenwich," in the Almacs shopping plaza on Main Street, which is now called East Greenwich Commons (home of CVS and Starbucks).