Cornucopia Imports is going out of business after a run of more
than two years on the corner of Perry and Fourth streets in Castle
Rock.
“It’s hard work,” said owner Shirley Ballard. “It’s been fun and
we’ve really enjoyed it. Castle Rock’s a great place.”
Cornucopia Imports opened Sept. 29, 2001.
Ballard said co-owner Holly Schroeder has decided to move on and
she does not want to run the business by herself.
“I’m a CPA,” Schroeder said. “My primary thing, I’ll be teaching
at the University of Denver and then working part time with J.
Dahl.”
Schroeder’s husband, Troy, is a controller for Haselden in
Englewood.
“We’re liquidating everything at cost,” Ballard said.
“Everything has to go.”
Handmade Cocuchas pots, some of which regularly sell for $585,
are selling for half price.
Schroeder said she and Ballard are taking a financial hit but
are focusing on recovering part of their costs.
Ballard said she and Schroeder, her daughter-in-law, made the
decision to call it quits two weeks ago. She said a designer was
interested in purchasing the business but reneged on the
deal.
“I think Holly and I had mentally started leaving because she
was supposed to be taking over,” Ballard said. “And then when she
didn’t, it was like, ‘OK, we were kind of geared up to not be
here.'”
The reality of owning a retail business is a lot of hard work,
Ballard said. Working weekends and holidays is a necessity, she
said, adding that she has never seen Starlighting and other local
festivities.
When asked if they would run Cornucopia on a smaller scale, both
owners said, in unison, “No retail ever again.”
“We’re just not cut out for retail,” Ballard said, adding that
success in retail comes if the retailer has a love and passion for
it.
When the business closes for good, Ballard is going to take a
little time off. After a break she is going to focus on
investing.
“Nothing eight to five,” she said, “and no weekends.”
Ballard said she will miss the social element of being in
historic Castle Rock, and that she and Holly have met great people
through the business.
“Our landlord’s been great,” Ballard said. “It’s truly been a
pleasure to be here. We have had great customers who have turned
into friends.”
Despite the decision to close, more boutiques in Castle Rock
would be better for the residents, Ballard said.
Ballard and Schroeder are members of the Downtown Merchants
Association.
Until it closes, Cornucopia imports is open from 10 a.m. to 5
p.m., Monday through Saturday, and noon to 4 p.m., Sunday, and by
appointment.