Babette's closes, but merchants optimistic

MILLERTON — Babette’s Old Fashioned on South Center Street closed last week after roughly a year in business.

Co-owner Buffy Arbogast said in a phone interview, "We decided that we would possibly like to expand in Millbrook, where our other store is, and we had to make some decisions. We felt we were losing focus, just had to pull back. We just found we couldn’t be in two places at once. We miss Millerton, the business community was just great, so welcoming and nice, supportive of one another.

"But, we’re open in the Millbrook store, six days a week, every day except Tuesday, and hope our customers from Millerton will visit us there." The café was owned by Beth Daidone and Arbogast.

Melissa Davis, who works at Little Gates Wine Merchants next door to Babette’s, said the café closed without any notice.

"This week, I have seen mothers walking down to Babette’s looking all happy, then they would see the sign on the window saying it’s closed," Davis said. "Then as they would pass our store window, I would see their children all crying. It’s been heartbreaking. The weather has started to be beautiful and everyone wanted ice cream."

Millerton Mayor John Scutieri said he did not know the exact reason why the café closed but that it could have something to do with a lack of consistency. Often when he tried to eat there, the café would be closed when it was supposed to be open.

"I would try to patronize the café and they would often be closed 20 minutes before the closing hour they posted," Scutieri said. "People really were not sure when they would be open or closed. That kind of thing is damaging to a business. I’m sorry to see them go because I liked the products they served. I hope someone gets brave enough to open up an ice cream parlor."

The café is the third business to close within the past several months in Millerton. Village Video on East Main Street closed in January after 13 years in business, while Cozzy’s pizza closed after being in business for several months.

Despite Babette’s closing shop, high gas prices and a weakening national economy, Scutieri said the village is still a strong retail community.

"I do think the national economy is affecting us to a certain degree," Scutieri said. "Even at [Riley’s Furniture, where Scutieri works], certain things are not selling as a direct result. People are spending more money for gas and to heat their house, which means that the money is being spent on other things instead of purchasing [furniture]. We do still have a thriving community."

Susan Schneider, owner of Shandell’s on Main Street and vice-president of the Millerton Merchant’s Association, said she did not think the closing of Babette’s would have a negative impact on the village.

"Someone else will move in and another store will open," Schneider said. "Promoting a negative is not the best thing. Do I find them closing troubling? No. There’s always a turnover in town. Is the national economy hurting us? Well, gas prices are not great. But overall, business is still good in town."

Real estate agent Marti Steed said South Center Street, where Babette’s was located, has always had a problem with businesses.

"The street is just out of the mind’s eye," Steed said. "People are always walking down Main Street. We need to let people know that there is more to Millerton than just Main Street. It has nothing to do with a bad economy. All villages and towns have stores that fluctuate at any given time."

Robin Helfand, owner of Millerton Market on Main Street, said small businesses can prosper during a national economic downturn.

"You may not be going to an exotic Caribbean destination to celebrate a spouse’s birthday, but you can buy nice greeting cards or a box of truffles," Helfand said, adding that she has not seen a decline in business in Millerton Market or her second shop in the village, Millerton Card and Candy. "We share the concern of other businesses. We encourage area residents to shop locally and support the base of merchants and businesses that keep our area vital."