Last week open for ArtBag, only Black-owned business on Madison Avenue

NEW YORK – The 1st and only Black-owned small business alongside the Madison Avenue procuring corridor is closing shop. This is the remaining week in the storefront for ArtBag Creations, but the entrepreneurs will carry on to serve the group with craftsmanship.

ArtBag Creations president Chris Moore explained the choice did not occur lightly.

“The rents in New York are just far too superior,” Moore stated.

After additional than 60 years stitching and portray handbags on Madison Avenue, the Moore loved ones is flocking south.

“We wanted to obtain a thing with a lot less taxes and that we would nonetheless be near our core customers,” reported Moore. “Luckily adequate, numerous of our consumers are living in Florida and New York.”

Moore started working with his father, Donald, at ArtBag Creations when he was 6 yrs aged. The loved ones has grown together with the neighbors who are closer than just purchasers. The elder Moore mentioned he will overlook his buyers the most.

“I’ve witnessed tiny youngsters improve up to be moms, and they have their children and their kids,” included his son. “It truly is been amazing. But I failed to realize how a lot we intended to the local community till we resolved that we were going to make going to make this transfer.”

The race is now on for regulars to invest in baggage at a lower price and drop off their own for refurbishment.

“It is really wonderful,” said Gail Zauder of ArtBag’s handiness with handbags. “They took things that appeared terrible and they built it glimpse brand new. Yeah, it is really fantastic.”

Immediately after Friday, July 9 bags will return to shoppers via mail. The Florida storefront opens July 25.

“Every little thing has to go,” Moore stated. “The appealing detail is that as shortly as we place the indication in the window that we were relocating, customers are coming in and getting 4 and 5 luggage at a time.”

“Although it really is factual, we are the first and only Black-owned organization on Madison Avenue, we hardly ever appeared at it like that,” admitted Moore. “We just seemed at it as our retail store, our small business, and we just want to give our shoppers with all the good high-quality workmanship that we could.”

Their craft will continue on, serving a worldwide shopper foundation from a new dwelling base.

Even however their address is switching to 927 N College Generate in Coral Springs, Fla., ArtBag’s cellphone amount and web-site will keep on being the similar. You can fall off baggage at the store on Madison Avenue at 84th Avenue right until Friday, July 9.

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