Staggering Economy Closes Night and Day

After seven and a half years, , 63 Park Street, will close its doors at the end of the month.  

"The level of traffic has dramatically dropped off during the last two years due to the downturn of the economy, and it is not recovering fast enough to cover the overhead." explained owner Merit Tukiainen.

The business, known for their private bra-fitting and variety of lingerie and sleepwear, boomed during its first five years and even encouraged Tukiainen to open a second store in Newburyport in 2008. 

That store closed last year after just two years in business. "It wasn't doing that well, and the lease was up," she explained.

With all the news of the economy improving, Tukiainen has not seen it. She also pointed to the report stating that existing home sales in February fell to their lowest in 9 years. "More then ever, people are looking for bargains in the department stores and internet outlets," she said.

"Small retailers just can't compete and offer those discounts. Just because a store is convenient and offers more personal service isn't enough reason for customers to forego discounts," Turkiainen explained.

Starting this Thursday, April 7 at noon and running until April 30 (or when all inventory is gone), Night and Day will have a closeout sale. The store, which will be closed until the start of the sale, will be open Tuesdays-Saturdays from 12-6pm. Gift cards and store credits will be honored until April 30, and all sales are final, according to Turkiainen. 

As for Tukiainen, she said she is unsure about her plans for the future and will be taking some time off before starting something new.