I'm so sorry to hear this! Such a wonderful addition to Lakewood and conscientious retailer.

Linda's beautiful and generous spirit made that shop a very special place for many. My family and I will truly miss it.

This is really sad news. The contributions Linda and Local Girl Gallery made to the community have been huge. It's another example, though, of how we all need to remember to shop local, support our Lakewood businesses.

"On her Facebook wall Goik wrote: 'I have loved owning the gallery and representing the many wonderful and talented artists, young and old whom have walked through it's doors.'"

"Who", not "whom". Just sayin'...

Michael, really? People like you are probably part of the reason she's closing.

Ug. Michael. Go to your room.

Totally agree with Paula Reed's comment: Shop local to support Lakewood Business. This is another grim reality of how small businesses have struggled during this tough economy. When money gets tight, people simply don't run out to buy art to hang on their walls. Very sad to hear another Lakewood business shutterig.

There's still time to support this business. Perhaps instead of letting another one go, if we as a community, get behind this wonderful person who has given so much of herself to this community we can alter the course this time around.

Whoa Michael I guess you told me. Owning a business is a risk that may or may not pay off. It allows me to help support my family whether I paint treelawn trash or buy someone's old junk. I wonder if you've ever taken a risk or you just hide behind your computer demeaning our lovely little city and criticizing other people's grammar. You should be pitied. I refuse to let you waste my time when I could be supporting my friend. Enjoy your mean little life.

Oh now I know who you are Michael. Ok makes sense now.

@ Ian King: "I have yet to find any business in Lakewood with a stuck-up staff as you call it. Never."

"Never" is a big place. Either you and I shop in different circles, or there's a reason uppity and dismissive behavior doesn't register with you.

Why do you always have to be the turd in the punch bowl?

I just read through some of Mike Miller's posts, and I find it shocking that he is unable to obtain employment. He seems like he would be a great employee...

Actually, he is a waste of life.

The only thing worse than a "waste of life" is someone who stalks a "waste of life".

Why don't you go withdraw some of your disability-benefit money and buy something to eat for your 15+ cats?

Lets try to get Lakewood's City Council to take one of the many abandoned storefronts on Detroit and turn it into a collective for artists of all mediums.
A collective is usually able to withstand a lot of economic problems a single gallery owner just cannot in down economic times. And inventory usually changes a lot more often which creates return customers coming in on a more regular basis. Plus there will be a wide price point of sale, as some art will be high end/expensive and some art very affordable such as smaller items, objects, etc. Several cities in the rustbelt have done this to great success. Lets call the Mayor and get this happening - we just can't let everything in Lakewood become a drug store or fast food hamburger joint!
BTW, check out this great website for more ideas on how to renew/revive rust belt cities like Cleveland and yes, Lakewood:
www.rustwire.com

Tsk, tsk, Ian. Did you miss a nap, or is this you when you're not stoned? For someone who represents himself as the peacemaking patron saint of the comment thread, your empty rhetoric is pretty judgmental and not a little harsh. Where's the harm in "selective editing" when the entire comment I referenced is still up for everyone to see?

Are you a therapist, or are you just the publicist for all of them? I can't imagine how else you would know what they would tell me under any conditions, and presume to speak for them. Seems to me like you're jumping to some broad and uninformed conclusions based on subjective and out-of-context reasoning.

Actually, I'm polite to retail and service personnel, and a good tipper in environments where tips are expected or allowed.

So... What are you doing to keep Local Girl Gallery open or top help its owner secure a job if it closes? All I see here is you and everyone else getting on your soapboxes to attack me and amble off topic, and it doesn't seem the gallery or its owner is any better off. I pity anyone who has you crusaders in their corner.

@Ian: All man. Why are you still here? Why aren't you out rallying for whatever your causes are?

@Bill: Exaggerate much? Maybe if people who are too craven to use anything more than a first name (and fake names) wouldn't attack me, you;d see less of me. I 'm always satisfied to make my comment like everyone else and let it go.

So, Bill.... You seem pretty useless. Will you be infusing Local Girl lGallery with a cash, or just hiring its owner?

@Ian: Now that I think about it, would you even know the difference between a man and a boy? Have look in the miror and get back to me.

"ian king
13 minutes ago
Hi Bob - after I just took time to respond to Michael Miller, I just realized --- WHY?
I think since he produces no insight, no suggestions, no ideas about renewing/reviving NE Ohio/Lakewood - why don't we all just ignore his comment?
Lets not get into his game of attack and then attack again once someone responds to one of his silly, inflammatory comments. I think he just likes to stir the fire and actually wants a lot of inflammatory responses to his belligerent/bully remarks.
So, why do we have to respond to them? IGNORE HIS COMMENTS unless he actually produces a creative, thinking, intelligent one! (no need to worry about that I would bet on for sure!) DON'T respond to Mr. Miller's rants!"

It took you long enough, Übergenius. if you could take that fire to teh streets, you might do some good.

I can't comprehend why you people are putting so much time and effort into something and someone you feel is "silly" and whatnot. That says more about you than it does about me.

Ten streets would be a pretty good start, no?

I'm a lousy typist and "teh" instead of "the" is one of my standard errors. So, sue me.

Sorry to hear this. It was a great neighborhood asset in many ways.

I think I should flag most of the comments above as inappropriate.

Mike
You are a tool

Ever since I was young, Linda has given me the tools to grow as an artist. Linda is a superb human being who does not deserve to have these quarrels posted on this article. I am still a young adult, but i can even see that this is disrespectful and inconsiderate. It is sad to see adult who are supposed to be "the pride of Lakewood" acting like children.

Cash Mob Planned at Local Girl Gallery Saturday, September 22

Come out to Local Girl Gallery on Saturday, September 22, 2012 from 2 to 6 p.m. and help save our community’s favorite gathering place and creative sanctuary.
Fans of the gallery were alarmed when owner Linda Goik announced earlier this month that the gallery would be closing by end of September. Many of us asked what could be done to save it. The answer: The gallery simply needs more business. If you love Local Girl, this is your chance to help keep it alive.

The rules for the cash mob are simple: 1) spend at least $20, 2) meet three people you’ve never met before, and 3) have fun.

This is the time to start your Christmas shopping, stock up on hostess gifts, and maybe even buy a little something for yourself! Refreshments will be served.

Local Girl Gallery is located at 16106 Detroit Avenue in Lakewood.