Despite Cash Mob, Local Girl Gallery Still Slated to Close

The cash mob that descended on the Local Girl Gallery on Saturday wasn’t enough to keep the Detroit Avenue staple from closing its doors.

Linda Goik said that the shop that she’s owned and operated for eights years will shutter at the end of the month.

More than all day Saturday — even though the cash mob was only supposed to last from 2 to 6 p.m.

“The outpouring of support this entire month and the cash mob this past Saturday is truly heartwarming,” she said. “What the community has enabled me to do is to pay past-due bills, and provide pay checks to my artists, both of which I have not been able to take care of over the summer.”

The recession has been tough on the business, she said. 

Customers aren’t spending as much as they used to — meaning artists, also hit by the recession, are also struggling to make ends meet. 

“I have been blessed to be able to have this opportunity and to know that the gallery is loved by so many,” she said. “I live in Lakewood, so you haven't seen or heard the last from me.

“I'm just taking a breath before my next adventure in this terrific city.” 

Future plans to open

Goik said she knew that a cash mob wouldn’t be able to rescue the store each time sales take a big dip, but had begun to discuss the possibility of a membership to gallery that would bring in a consistent revenue stream. 

At some point in the future, the store may reopen again — somewhere else.

Right now, Goik plans to keep looking for full-time work while holding down her part-time gig at Home Depot.

“There is much interest in restructuring Local Girl Gallery into a bigger and better community space, providing a true working studio, showcasing a variety of classes and events and possible membership where community residents can have ownership in its growth.”