Au Revoir Basic French
The economy is really only part of it. There is another, even more compelling reason, if truth be told. But if it makes you feel better to blame the economy, welcome aboard. Basic French, the store specializing in French products for “la vie quotidienne” (everyday life) is shuttering it’s bricks-and-mortar store on E. Market Street in Red Hook. Customers who’d grown accustomed to dropping by to pick up their MiR dish liquid and the other cleaning supplies and toiletries that owner Carol Neiley ships from her place in Lyon, can continue to buy them on-line. There’s even local pick-up for those who wish to avoid shipping costs. Not that we’re consoled.
“It’s been a very tough winter,” says Neiley. “Since I live in France all but a month a year and our internet business is going so well, it doesn’t make sense to keep the store, even though Sandy Conway and Barbara Maleonskie, who run it for me, do an incredible job. I love France, my daughters love France. Our life is there, now. My beautiful house is going to be listed with Gary DiMauro as of May 1. Going forward, our plan is to focus on the website, which I can do from there.”
Starting today, Thursday, April 9, Basic French is conducting a sale of both products and fittings—the antique furnishings (French, of course) that have served as counters and display pieces in the store. This sale will continue until everything is gone, presumably sometime next week. In the future, there will be another, even bigger one at Neiley’s house, after it has sold. Cela me rend triste.
Gray painted bench, $275; French kitchen table, $500; Country bench, $150. Above: dressmaker’s table, $1250
Wrapping table, $450; armoire (shown without doors, which can be reattached), $4,000.
Basic French
5 E. Market Street, Red Hook; 845.758.0399
Thursday 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Friday & Saturday 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Closed Sunday.
Monday - whenever 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
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Posted by Marilyn Bethany on 04/09/09 at 02:49 PM • Permalink
