Dawn Robison of Machesney Park spent part of her morning last week browsing for gifts at Crimson Ridge, knowing the store at 735 N. Perryville Road was on borrowed time.
“I have three kids, so I’ve been here many times over the years to buy flowers for Homecomings, proms and other special occasions,” Robison said. “It’s sad to see something that has been here for so long, not here anymore.”
Robison’s 20-year-old daughter, Kennedy, inspected an assortment of necklaces and other jewelry items displayed inside the store’s nearly empty lower level.
“I’ve purchased Pandora Jewelry here,” she said. “They sold it here before it was available at the mall. This place always has some nice jewelry and other gift items.”
After 27 years as one of the city’s most popular destinations for luxury gifts, home decor and floral arrangements, Crimson Ridge said so long to regular hours and seven-days-a-week business on Sunday.
It will be closed on Valentine’s Day for the first time in decades and is a handful of clearance events away from being closed for good.
Closing:Rockford’s Crimson Ridge announces end of era: Floral shop will close along with gift shop
“It’s a new beginning for a lot of us who have worked here, but it’s sad for the community,” said floral designer Chad Aumann, who has worked at Crimson Ridge for 23 years. “We’ve helped a lot of people in good times and in bad times. It’s very sad for our customers and the people that we’ve helped throughout the years.”
Crimson Ridge announced plans in August to close the upstairs of its two-level store while continuing to sell flowers and gifts on the lower level of the business.
Just days before Christmas, the store made another announcement. It would shut down completely.
Kim Liszka, who has worked at Crimson Ridge for about 20 years, attributes the store’s popularity to its customer service.
“We’ve seen those same people over and over for the holidays and in between as well,” Liszka said. “Since we’ve announced our closing we’ve heard customers say ‘What am I going to do now because I’ve come here for the last 15 or 20 years?’ It almost sounds like we’ve become part of their lives as well.”
Crimson Ridge opened in 1995 and functioned primarily as a go-to place for floral arrangements and small gifts.
The store expanded its brand in 2012 by adding a trendy, clothing-specific department featuring special occasion dresses, outerwear, sweaters, jewelry, scarves and other merchandise.
Crimson Ridge owner Kip Hartsfield said he opened his store on the city’s east side with modest expectations but soon realized the store’s high-end brands and specialty gift wrapping filled a niche.
“Our success was driven by our customers and our employees,” Hartsfield said. “We became part of our customers’ lives. We’re part of their birthdays, anniversaries, Valentine’s Days, things like that. Our employees gave so much. They missed holidays, birthdays and events with their kids to keep the store running because it really operates from five or six in the morning until 7, 8 or 9 at night continuously.”
While Crimson Ridge is going out of business, Hartsfield hinted of a possible return.
“We’re going to take a break and then come back and do something in the community.” he said. “I don’t know what it will be, but we will be back with something.”
Ken DeCoster covers business news and features. Contact him at 815-987-1391, [email protected] or @DeCosterKen.
This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: ‘It’s sad for the community’: Beloved Rockford shop nears finish line
