Green home goods store 3r Living on Fifth Avenue in Park Slope will be closing its doors at the end of the month. A few weeks ago, owners Samantha Delman-Caserta and Mark Caserta posted a sign on their door, that said,
"When we opened this store in April of 2004, it was a dream come true. Over the past five years we have been honored to provide the community with greener, healthier and safer options, as well as a much-needed community recycling center. We would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to all of the customers and friends we have made over the years."
Some inventory is still left, for sale between 20 to 75 percent off, and the store's fixtures are now for sale. Though this store will close, the husband-wife team will continue to operate a store in Maplewood, NJ and an online store at www.3rliving.com.
Last year, Delman-Caserta told the Eagle that her store has not been immune to the current economic climate.
"We’re not asking you to come out and spend money that’s going to put you in jeopardy," she said at the time. “What we’re saying is, if you’re going to go out and buy, think about what you’re buying and think about where you’re buying it and what it does for you. Buying from a major retailer, the money doesn’t come directly back to your community.
"Buying from a brick and mortar or a mom and pop shop in your neighborhood, I believe it’s close to 50 percent of the money that you spend stays within your community, if not more," she noted.
"A lot of small businesses are just not going to be able to make it through the long haul. We just have to count on our neighborhood and hope that they all understand that shopping locally really does make a difference,” Delman-Caserta continued. "Even if it’s ten dollars it makes a difference."
The Casertas continue to urge their customers to shop locally. The final paragraph of the store closing sign on their door states:
"Also, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE help us to make sure that this does not happen to other businesses in the area. Eat, drink and shop local! Supporting restaurants, boutiques and bars on 5th Avenue, even just a little, can go a very long way."
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