Donna Huber

Wed, Feb 8, 2012 : 5:27 a.m.

I am astounded at the vitriol being spewed in the comment section of this article. I find it hard to believe that the negative "opinions" are actually coming from people born and raised in A2 or even in Michigan. Given the economic climate in the US and particularly in the state of Michigan we should ALL be coming together in support of small, local businesses whether the goods sold within are our cup of tea or not. I have done business with Ms. Bryant/Organic Bliss and I must say,my experience does not reflect the tone of this article nor the comments that follow. Why such negativity? It's like I'm reading something spun straight from Corporate Media or Reality TV. Opinions are one thing, attacks on a persons character are quite another.Why such celebration of a small business owner having to close her doors? Melissa was my go to person while trying to help my own clientele eat, drink and use products that aren't going to affect our fertility in later years or worse yet cause cancer. I happen to know that she spent YEARS researching and learning the impact of our environment on humans and that she has a great passion for wellness, sustainability, green, and local. I for one am so grateful for her hard work and perseverance and downtown Ann Arbor will now be missing one of their brightest lights. For those of you making flippant and clearly uninformed and uneducated comments, it is my hope that you someday see the error of your ways. I happen to know that Melissa poured every ounce of her heart and soul into Organic Bliss in an effort to make a positive impact on her community and thus our world and it hurts my heart that she has to read these hateful words. Melissa, I wish you all the best in your new endeavors and look forward to the Phoenix that is sure to arise from these ashes. And remember what the great Albert Einstein said, "Great Spirits Have Always Encountered Violent Opposition From Mediocre Minds"

Robert Hughes

Mon, Feb 6, 2012 : 3:14 a.m.

So sorry to see this store go. It was a lovely and friendly place to visit. Hope that there are more like it to take up the slack.

Wolf's Bane

Sun, Feb 5, 2012 : 2:50 p.m.

Brick and Mortar speciality stores are too difficult to operate and to monetize given the sheer real estate overhead. It would have beenetter for them to remain online only.

a2gerry

Thu, Feb 2, 2012 : 12:35 p.m.

Maybe if the owner had a more consistent inventory, the store would still be in business. I stopped going there when I was unable to find products I liked from previous visits. Ms Bryant's response was "I like to change things". I changed too and stopped shopping there. It's always sad to see a business fail, but I have to say I'm not surprised.

Heather

Mon, Jan 30, 2012 : 5:17 p.m.

The negativity here is astounding. And here I thought that the buy local mindset was really sticking. Maybe it's the reporter's branding of this story with inflammatory language like "blaming" that triggered so many. Certainly triggered the ignorance to come barreling out. What I want to share here is that, despite what our individual consumer habits are, here is the spirit of small business hurting. And here is a shop owner who was relying on her community to support her vision. We failed to do so, and it's a shame. I have a degree in Natural Resources and am also a massage therapist. I have knowledge of the body, health, toxins that are in almost everything you buy and put on your skin, and toxins that are in the environment as a result of our poor consumer choices. Bottom line: there is a need for this kind of business and it wasn't supported in our community. To me, that is sad because it reflects the fact that not enough people are waking up to making better, sounder, healthier choices for themselves, their families, and their environment. If you really knew what you were looking at in that store, you would know it really was an impressive selection of high quality goods. I shopped there, and believed in their products because it was clear to me they were really the best you could find--and many of them local! That is worth a lot to me. To shop with a conscience. Melissa was always warm, knowledgeable, and helpful, without ever pushing me to buy anything. It was about finding what I needed and what worked for me, and I knew everything in that store was 100% organic. That was true service--to the consumer, the community, and to the environment. It's a shame there isn't more thanks, applause, and support given to the owner for taking a risk and sharing such a positive product line. After all, how many of us have put ourselves out there to do something like this--sharing something good for everyone, including the earth?

LuvAA

Fri, Jan 27, 2012 : 7:54 p.m.

I for one LOVE the 'independent retail environment' and have frequented many of the shops in downtown AA often, especially at least once a week to eat in downtown as well. I have been to all of the stores that are mentioned in this article and others that have closed over the years. Organic Bliss was a beautiful store on the inside, and I really wanted to support them, however they didn't really sell anything I wanted at a reasonable price range. Like others who've commented, I did not get approached by anyone either to enlighten me on the products in the store. I do hope that other prospective businesses are not discouraged from coming in to the downtown area. I don't particularly want to see a chain store, or another restaurant take up the space. Parking is difficult and can be expensive, however, it hasn't stopped me from going downtown. Btw, the Made in Michigan store used to be located in downtown AA, before moving to Ypsilanti :-) Hope they are doing well there! Maybe you can come back this way in another location! Best of luck to all the existing businesses...I plan on continuing to support you!

Lets Get Real

Fri, Jan 27, 2012 : 7:06 p.m.

Shop closings always have multiple factors connected to the closing: From the comments, here are some I see: * She relocated from another known location - did that hurt or help? * She was less than welcoming (according to one report here) - the business of a profitable business is measured by the relationships it creates with its customers. * She didn't have products people wanted - knowing the customer is critical to success: who they are, how much moeny they make, their gender, their reason for buying the product or service being sold, their buying habits (how much, how often, etc.) * She was very small (1,000 sq ft) - did she have adequate stock of the prducts people wanted to buy? * She was expensive (accounts here shared the price of an item) - offering products or services at a price people feel is fair based on the value received is an important piece of the pricing strategy. * Foot traffic is rnoticably reduced - if so, & if she is dependent on foot traffic, did she research the pedestrian traffic with SEMCOG or the city before selecting her location(s)? * Was her marketing strategy condusive to her customer? Offering discounts or value added offers to downtown workers, sponsoring events, reaching out to the target market through networking, using integrated digital methods, alligning with strategic partners,etc. * Did people know her brand & what it promises? Did she? * Did she research the competition to see who else, within walking distance, sells similar or identical products? She says "nothing like it". I don't know the products specifically, but from the feedback it included organic body care products. I can think of Bellanina, Douglas J, Kerrytown shops, & O'Hair (who moved at Thanksgiving to the Whole Foods plaza for parking & high rent reasons), sell similar products & have loyal followings. Gaining market share is an exercise in relationship building and creative marketing. Parking downtown? Yes, but not the si

YpsiVeteran

Fri, Jan 27, 2012 : 3:35 p.m.

If you look at downtown Ann Arbor from the perspective of someone who's never been there and doesn't know anything about it, it's not a very inviting or friendly place to attempt to navigate. The "attitude," for lack of a better word, of the downtown area as a whole comes off as something along the lines of "you're lucky we're here, and we don't much care about making anything easy for you." The layout of the main shopping areas, the location of the parking structures, the rules about meters and their enforcement...where does the never-ever find this info quickly and easily? If people who've never been there think it's too much of an ordeal to attempt, and people who live and/or work there, who actually know what's going on, go other places to avoid the cost/hassle etc., who is left?

JD

Fri, Jan 27, 2012 : 3:06 p.m.

by that headline the writer apparently missed journalism class the day they taught objectivity .

JD

Fri, Jan 27, 2012 : 2:54 p.m.

I think its a great shop .....sadly most people would rather support china and shop at walmart

JD

Fri, Jan 27, 2012 : 2:45 p.m.

Most Friendly and Knowledgable Retailer I've seen in 35 years of shopping downtown ... not a single gift I bought from there ever had to be returned.....sad to see this news ...

TruBlue

Fri, Jan 27, 2012 : 1:15 p.m.

I shop downtown regularly. I have heard of all these stores that are closing but I have shopped at none of them because they sell nothing I want.

Goober

Fri, Jan 27, 2012 : 10:50 a.m.

The high cost of parking and the freedom that the beggars have to pester you every turn has kept us from going downtown for shopping and dining. Our city leaders do not have a clue. They might wake up when all that is left is art, beggars and empty stores.

Dave

Fri, Jan 27, 2012 : 6:50 a.m.

Excuses excuses. My wife and I met the owner one time and she had her nose so high in the air we couldn't stand to set foot in her store. If people can't adapt to what the customers want then they will fail. Bivouac is a great example...matching the internet prices, good sales staff, and stuff people want/need. While I hate to see independent businesses fail, this one had the writing all over it from the beginning. Lily Grace on Main St. has much nicer stuff.

Sallyxyz

Fri, Jan 27, 2012 : 1:30 a.m.

Restaurants with their huge profit margins and national chains are all that can survive in an environment like downtown AA, with it's high parking rates, limited parking options and predominately student clientele. It is not a diverse shopping area. Rents are too high for small independent businesses to survive for very long. There is a lack of foot traffic due to the grim parking situation, and far too many bars and restaurants line the streets looking to cash in on the student population. If you look at the downtowns in other college towns (Ithaca, NY, Lawrence, KS, and Madison, WI, for example), you will find much more diversity in the commercial areas. Lawrence actually has a thriving department store! And parking is much more available. I have visited all of them. A2's downtown used to be much better even 15 years ago, with more long-time local stores, pharmacies, restaurants that weren't "upscale", and a much broader range of retail. But, greed took over, and landlords raised the rents to the sky, and only restaurants, bars and chains can survive in that environment with their high profit margins. All of the funky fun places have gone out of business along with anything resembling a department store. Downtown A2 used to be a fun place to visit and shop.

jcj

Fri, Jan 27, 2012 : 12:57 a.m.

"noticed a "significant drop in foot traffic downtown, specifically shoppers," since opening in 2008." Is that true? I would not know myself. But it does sound like a convenient excuse. Obviously she was either not selling what people wanted or was selling it for too high a price.

candygirl

Fri, Jan 27, 2012 : 12:09 a.m.

So sad to see her go.... There was nothing else like it downtown. Best of luck to you Melissa, you will be missed.

LA

Thu, Jan 26, 2012 : 11:27 p.m.

I am surprised at so many negative comments, both towards the store and downtown retail in general. This was a great store, with HIGH QUALITY items. The difference between buying similar items online is that you have a nice knowledgeable person to talk to about the product and who could offer you ideas and help. THAT is what is important about keeping independent retailers in a viable downtown. We need MORE stores like this, not less. I shopped here regularily, not every week, maybe not every month even, but often. And it was a wonderful place for presents! Have you any idea how warm and soft bamboo scarves and socks are? And the softness of their clothes is incredible. Organic items are becoming m ore important, not less. All you haters: the loss of missing out on a great store and a lovely owner is yours. I feel sorry for you. the joy of going to our still vibrant downtown is the discovery of new stores! Get out and discover our town. What other gems are you missing? What other stores may go out of business because people are too lazy to walk one block from where they park their car and discover something new?

pbehjatnia

Thu, Jan 26, 2012 : 11:07 p.m.

I shop locally and organic whenever possible. While parking is an issue I truly think that in this case poor taste and even worse merchandising were the culprits. This seems to be an issue with many downtown retailers. Unwillingness to offer quality and even bigger unwillingness to update their premises to suit the expectations of today's consumers. How many shops in the downtown area look like gray outdated throwbacks to the 80s? Sorry. If you want my money get with the program and offer me some quality, some eye candy and some really good service.

Kristin MIchelson

Thu, Jan 26, 2012 : 10:38 p.m.

It is clear the writer has set the tone for this chain of feedback by his title alone. Organic Bliss is not blaming anyone for the decision to close. We are talking about a business that was able to grow and expand during a very difficult time in this economy that now has made a very difficult decision to close the doors despite hope for the future. If any of you have ever actually been in the store, you might know about a wide range of products (yes granted perhaps in a niche market) carefully researched by the owner to truly offer an organic option locally. There are several products on the market that claim to be organic and natural and tons of people purchase them believing just that. What was promising about Organic Bliss was the owners knowledge of each product and her effort and dedication to providing truly healthy products, many of which were local to Michigan. The decision to close could not have been easy. Some of these comments are just ignorance speaking. This is an example of the phrase buy local or bye bye local. Sad to see this great shop go, but I am grateful for all the knowledge I have gained and the great products and gifts that I have purchased.

Lou Perry

Thu, Jan 26, 2012 : 10:03 p.m.

Keep raising parking rates, expand hours to pay and kill the Golden Goose.

ypsilady

Thu, Jan 26, 2012 : 9:53 p.m.

I have patronized Organic Bliss in the past. The reason I stopped going there is poor customer service. The last time I went there, I was in an empty store for 10 minutes without being acknowledged by the woman behind the counter whom was on the phone. I left and never went back.

CanDam

Thu, Jan 26, 2012 : 9:51 p.m.

Good thing parking rates are going up so they can improve the downtown area! Oh... wait, that doesn't make sense.

Blanch DuBois

Thu, Jan 26, 2012 : 9:26 p.m.

Perhaps too many business owners assume that because this is Ann Arbour (said with a British accent), that any and every "boutique" store will be a success. Maybe it's not the lack of parking, or the cost of parking, or the panhandlers, or the undesirable business next door, or the economy....maybe you're just not offering anything I want to spend my money on.

zags

Thu, Jan 26, 2012 : 8:44 p.m.

The DDA needs to put some of that parking revenue towards advertising for the downtown. A Pure Ann Arbor marketing theme to help out some of the non restaurant businesses. Isn't that what the DDA is supposed to do anyway? Market downtown Ann Arbor?

81wolverine

Thu, Jan 26, 2012 : 8:16 p.m.

Having owned a retail store before, I know the difficulty in today's economy in selling products like this store - the market for them has fallen sharply off in the last 10-12 years. Also, in only a 1,000 square feet space, it's REALLY hard to sell enough of those type of products to pay for the exorbitant downtown rent. And I'd be willing to bet that the drop in foot traffic observed by the owner was caused in large part by the huge underground garage boondoggle nearby which has made access to the area harder and less easy-to-find parking available.

newsboy

Thu, Jan 26, 2012 : 7:25 p.m.

Two bottles of hippie hand lotion $30.00! One cup of fecal coffee $40.00! Finding your car after it's been towed. Priceless

Grumpy

Thu, Jan 26, 2012 : 7:11 p.m.

Extending street meters to 9PM, reducing the maximum amt of time you can park at those meters, adjusting those meters to be more expensive than the garages, and the new u/g parking garage itself will HELP stores like this NOT hurt them. Last weekend, I ordered take-out from a restaurant at State & Liberty. Circled several blocks multiple times because I just wanted to hop out, throw a quarter in a meter, pick up my food, get a beverage at 7-11, and go home. There was ZERO turnover on street spots. So I sucked it up and headed over to the Thompson - Maynard garage figuring I'd have to spend more time driving up to the roof than I would running into the restaurant to get my food. Only 4 spots available in that HUGE garage. And there was a sign blocking any other cars from entering so it was CLOSED! Wound up all the way down by that black cube that spins on its point. Far away from State/Liberty intersection. THIS is an argument for going out to the lousy chains into the land of strip malls and abundant parking to quickly grab take-out. How can there be so many business owners and residents in town that don't understand that if you INCREASE street parking turn-over therby increasing foot traffic, and ADD more garages to prevent people from getting turned away by LOT FULL signs, it will actually BENEFIT business, not harm it. You are all freaking out about losing literally a couple of dollars for a couple hours of parking. Are you people even prying open your wallets to buy anything downtown after you find your free spot in the parking lot of a bank that has closed for the day? And also, maybe no one wanted to buy overpriced crap with the word organic written on the label.

silverwings

Thu, Jan 26, 2012 : 6:48 p.m.

Certainly each situation is different, but the fact is the Liberty is looking really terrible. The parking rates should not be continually raised in this environment! You could call it the Downtown Destruction Association.

Homeland Conspiracy

Thu, Jan 26, 2012 : 6:47 p.m.

lately businesses have been dropping like flys

ranger007

Thu, Jan 26, 2012 : 6:38 p.m.

How about putting in a subway!?!?!

bunnyabbot

Thu, Jan 26, 2012 : 6:37 p.m.

the rising parking rates and the super heavy inforcement of meters is indeed pissing customers off who then do not shop downtown. Pretty soon there will only be restaurants downtown. Parking enforcement ends at 6. If there are no shoppers supporting parking the DDA will go after the dinner crowd for sure. So the hours will be extended past 6. Tthose people will get pissed at parking rates and enforcement too and eventually stop going to the restaurants as well. Of course many of the restaurants downtown are owned by a louder group that has more clout than small little businesses like those that have closed recently. the DDA should give free parking on Saturdays in a bid to attract new customers.

Eric Penrose

Thu, Jan 26, 2012 : 6:27 p.m.

closing businesses always put blame somewhere else. Perhaps their business isn't what the community needed?

a2phiggy

Thu, Jan 26, 2012 : 6:24 p.m.

For me, the consistent thing across all of the recent store closings downtown is that I had never heard of any of them prior to the announcement of their demise. I suppose marketing is more difficult after the failure of the local paper, but somehow these retailers need to find a way to gain visibility to those of us who don't study storefronts!

Barb Roether

Thu, Jan 26, 2012 : 6:24 p.m.

There is so much competition in the retail world now. To open a small, independent store in Ann Arbor selling products that are easily gotten online or in drug and department stores is a tough road. It will take time to find the right mix of what will be successful in this town in this economic environment. Sorry to see all the closings in town but times they are a'changing. It is not just the parking situation alone. I wouldn't be surprised to see national chains finally coming here.Even Costco will be changing the grocery competition. The neighborhood is changing whether you like it or not.

cibachrome

Thu, Jan 26, 2012 : 6:05 p.m.

I think of formaldehyde when I hear of organic bliss. What's needed there is a good hardware store or maybe a Made in Michigan shop. Enough with the cheap, landfill filling crap sold in shops with trendy names. This isn't Hollywood.

smokeblwr

Thu, Jan 26, 2012 : 5:57 p.m.

Independent Retail Environment? Wasn't her store an independent retailer? Is she saying she would have preferred more Starbucks/Burger Kings/7-11s?

Pixie Belle

Thu, Jan 26, 2012 : 5:51 p.m.

I think that they just sold items a variety of items no one really wanted to buy.