Paradiza to Close After 21 Years

"Very sad" are the words Paradiza Boutique manager Brett Reis used to describe the decision by owner Gail Licciardello to close the Penhallow Street gift store after more than two decades in business.

He said the decision was made shortly after the new year, and on Thursday the store was selling all of its cards, jewelry, hats, scarves and lotions at 50 percent off with cash or personal checks only.

Reis said that Licciardello has owned the Paradiza Boutique for seven years and the store has been a fixture in downtown Portsmouth for 21 years. The building's landlord is currently seeking a new retail tenant.

Some of Paradiza's loyal customers couldn't pass up the chance to score some great bargains on many of the items sold inside the store. One customer said Paradiza was always her "go to" store for unique gifts she couldn't buy anywhere else.

Reis said Licciardello decided to sell the store because she is tired and needed to focus on her other job as an occupational therapist.

"Everybody is very sad. But I think they can appreciate the fact that Gail is very tired and wants to think about other things and have weekends off and go on vacations," he said.

Reis said he is currently looking for another job and two other part-time employees will also be displaced when the store closes.

He said that Licciardello hopes to sell as much of the store's inventory as she can between now and Jan. 29. After that date, he said Licciardello will try to sell whatever is left either online or through a private sale. The store will close its doors for good on Jan. 31.

"Her preference would have been to find someone else who would have carried on the torch," Reis said.