Island Jack To Close By May

Kelly Falkenstine remains the bright, bubbly and upbeat individual her customers, neighbors and fellow business owners have grown to love.

In spite of the impending change in her life, the owner of on Washington Street exudes positivity.

But even her personality and a unique business model in an inviting environment weren't enough to keep Island Jack open through tough economic times in .

The boutique——will close by next month.

"It really wouldn't have taken much to keep us alive," Falkenstine said Tuesday morning while a half-dozen customers filled her downtown store. "If they were willing to shop in , maybe we'd still be open. But everything happens for a reason."

Falkenstine said it would have taken just another $20 a month from some customers to stay afloat, adding, "We're not a high maintenance store."

She has sent out an email to her regular customers to notify them that gift cards will be honored in the store through Sunday.

The business will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, and noon until 4 p.m. on Sunday.

Falkenstine had , but financing fell through at the last minute.

"It's really a shame local banks can't support local businesses," Falkenstine said. "If [the potential buyer] can't get funding, we're all in trouble."

An email Tuesday morning to loyal customers read, "It is with a heavy heart, but bright hopes for the future, that we must inform you, our friends and family, that Island Jack will be permanently closing our doors. There are some things in life that [are] out of our control, and unfortunately the selling of Island Jack did not happen as we had anticipated. However, we will be opening our store again, temporarily, to allow our loyal Hoppers a chance to use up any Island Jack Gift Cards."

While the sale of the business didn't go through, Falkenstine said all the store's contents will be sold. The future, though, is wide-open. Falkenstine said the Island Jack logo may appear again in the future, on the "manufacturing or wholesale side."

Falkenstine said she plans to keep the store open until the first weekend in May.

"We opened on a First Friday in May, so it will have been exactly five years [on May 4]," she said. "The experiences I've had, if you would have told me five years ago that I'd be closing in five years, I wouldn't have traded it."

TELL US: What was your favorite memory of Island Jack? Wish Kelly & the rest of the Island Jack family well with a comment below.