Pumpkin’s Organic Market closing soon

YankeeFan wrote: [quote=LongTimeSloper]Hmm, I don't remember 3 or 4 book stores closing within a year of B&N opening-what book stores closed??

There was one on 7th ave btwn 8th & 9th st. Another on 7th ave btwn Union & President. I’m pretty sure there was at least one more….. If I can remember it later, I'll post it here.

OK-I remember the one on 7th between Union and president-I think it was around a while longer than a year past B&N-but, I won't squabble-LOL. Personally, I think that book store would have closed with or without B&N-I used to go in there and Community and Community was always ten times better.

I have loved Pumpkins, but they're closing because they carry very little -- there was just no variety. All the produce was organic, so it's pricey. If they had what you were looking for, great. But it's hardly enough to sustain a business.

According to the article, the decision to go without bags and disposable cups trimmed their audience even further -- to diehard organic shoppers who plan ahead and bring their own bags and mug.

Cute little country store just won't cut it. Especially when Union Market opens up just a block or two away. And the corner store on 12th and 8th which also carries some organic stuff.

We'll miss the smiling faces.

Pumpkin’s Organic Market should advertise. I live within walking distance of Pumpkin’s Organic Market and forgot it existed.

I live no where near Fairway, but am always thinking of it and do eventually go to Fairway because of large outside signs, fliers, and shopping bags stamped "Fairway" that drive me to promotions on Fairway's website.

Old Time Brooklyn wrote: This place sucks.

Thanks for that insightful and helpful commentary.

Yeah, the more I think about it, I don't see how big bad Fairway put poor little Pumpkins out of business, just like I know that bookstore that used to be on 7th between Union and President was on it's last legs way before B&N came around. I know big chain stores hurt small businesses, but you can't blame them for every store going under.

One of the most interesting articles I know of on this topic is:

http://www.slate.com/id/2180301/nav/ais/

DrabRabbit wrote: [quote=Old Time Brooklyn]This place sucks.

Thanks for that insightful and helpful commentary.

His teleprompter broke.

According to the blog knows Brooklyn 7th Ave Books closed 8/31/07 "closing shop to spend more time with my kids and work on some projects I've not had time to focus on. "

and Park Slope Books announced their closing in 11/07 both fully 10 years after B&N opened.

as for Pumpkin closing I guess it was Union Market, no advertising and a secluded area that did them in.

Subject: The local consumer is the issue here

Pumpkins carried a good amount of products for those who eat healthy.
Furthermore, it doesn't make sense to not buy organic produce
because of it's price.
It will be more expensive, more costly in the future when you will
be paying all those health care expenses for sicknesses or ailments
that were brought on by eating chemically treated, genetically modified
vegetables and fruits.

We as a people in this community need to vote with our wallets by
supporting what is good and in our best interest.

We fail to see that a business needs time to grow and that
by patroning the business now we help it to grow so that later
it will be able to carry more products, more variety.
And when local consumers help grow a business they
too can get it on the profiting by buying its stock.

Pumpkins is not the issue here, they are doing their do diligence
by serving the community in a meaningful way.

It is the people, the local consumers within the community that
have not patroned the business,
thanking it for its courage to bring health conscious food and products
to the community.
That is the issue and that is why Pumpkins has been forced to
close its doors.

Subject: Re: The local consumer is the issue here

monkeyboyblues wrote: Pumpkins carried a good amount of products for those who eat healthy.
Furthermore, it doesn't make sense to not buy organic produce
because of it's price.
It will be more expensive, more costly in the future when you will
be paying all those health care expenses for sicknesses or ailments
that were brought on by eating chemically treated, genetically modified
vegetables and fruits.

We as a people in this community need to vote with our wallets by
supporting what is good and in our best interest.

We fail to see that a business needs time to grow and that
by patroning the business now we help it to grow so that later
it will be able to carry more products, more variety.
And when local consumers help grow a business they
too can get it on the profiting by buying its stock.

Pumpkins is not the issue here, they are doing their do diligence
by serving the community in a meaningful way.

It is the people, the local consumers within the community that
have not patroned the business,
thanking it for its courage to bring health conscious food and products
to the community.
That is the issue and that is why Pumpkins has been forced to
close its doors.

So, where will you work once Pumpkins closes?

My two cents...there has to be a balance between serving the community in a meaningful way and serving the community in a way that will draw traffic. Good intentions are great, but for sustaining an operation, an effective business plan sometimes yields greater success.

I live a block from the place and tried to support it, but it was hit and miss when I went there, so after a few times, I just crossed it off my list and just assumed that I'm not the target demographic. One note, I do think the place was given plenty of time to grow, as most businesses fail in the first 12-24 months and this place has been around longer than that...not sure how long but at least 4-5 years based on my recollection.

It's unfortunate when a small, local business closes, but it's a business, not a charity. You have to have a compelling offer for your customer base, and if you aren't getting a sufficient number of customers to cover expenses, then that means something has to change: perhaps alter your product mix to draw more of the local customers, change things to make it more of a compelling destination for people who aren't close by, or, last resort, close up shop.

I think the location didn't help, because there isn't a lot of foot traffic of people just passing by. Of course, the rent was probably more reasonable there than it would be down on 7th Ave or 5th Ave, so it was probably a catch 22...move and get more foot traffic, but then be squeezed to death by the rent. From a demographic information standpoint, the estimated median income for the census tract where Pumpkin's is located is $68,000/year. The EMI for the census tract that includes the corner of 7th Ave & 11th St is $115,000. Geographically, these two tracts are very close, but it just shows if you are charging a premium, it could help to be located in a place where half the people make more than $115K/year as opposed to a place where half the people make more than $68K/year. (all data from FFIEC)

Anyway, overall I'm sad to see it go because it's no fun for anyone to lose a job. Hope the next store that goes in there is able to sustain itself and hope the owners/employees of Pumpkins are able to land on their feet.

Patroned?

I say use the space to house the wacko crazy woman roaming the streets at night screaming. It can be her personal rubber room.

Well, you're a Yankee fan, so naturally, we will ignore you.

No. Just not a Yankee fan.

There are two types of people: Yankee fans. And us.

There are more of us.

Typical Yanks fan. Dredge up the history that has nothing to do with anything. No One Cares. No One. Except for you.

And I am done hijacking this thread.

Pumpkins had nothing for the average visitor. Very specific clientele. And not enough of them. Hence, the end. Hopefully a wine store is next.