Rosemary Gange has decided to close Camille et Famille after 17 years in business because of declining revenue.
The store, located at Scoville Square on Oak Park Avenue, sells products including women’s clothing, jewelry, and crafts, all of which are 40 percent to 75 percent off as part of its closing sale. Camille’s last day open will likely be Aug. 12, but it could close sooner if all its wares are gone.
Gange blames the store’s dwindling business on the recently built parking garage near the corner of Oak Park Avenue and North Boulevard.
“Women don’t like to park in garages,” she said.
Another factor in her decision to close, Gange said, is the planned rise in meter fees in front of her store to $1 per hour. “Other areas have free parking,” she said.
On Madison Street in Forest Park, on-street parking is free for three hours.
According to Gange, the owner of the Scoville Square building, Jim Solnes, did not pressure her to leave. “He did his best to try to keep me here,” she said.
There have been many well-wishers at Camille’s in the days since Gange decided to close. “People here have been crying, and I’ve had people bringing me gifts-they’re so dear,” she said.
Gange added that she might open up another store similar to Camille’s in the near future.
