Uniquely Washington going out of business

RITZVILLE - Seven months after moving across Main Street into a newly remodeled Snyder Block Building, Uniquely Washington is shutting its doors.

Owners Dennis and Mary Chamberlain made the announcement last week on Facebook.

"We have heavy hearts about this, but, we will continue to support our town and business district," Dennis said on Facebook.

He told The Journal more about the decision and upcoming closure.

"Making the decision was hard on Mary and me," Dennis said. "But once we made the decision, we wanted to do it as fast and painlessly as possible. We want to get ourselves back in good shape and decide what we are going to do next."

He said the business just didn't bring in enough income to cover the costs they had put into the building. He said he will close the store when he gets through his current inventory. He is holding a going-out-of-business sales effective immediately.

The wine sale caught on fast. He sold out of all his wine the second day of the sale.

"We had wine selling for $5 a bottle," Dennis said. "We had everything from $40 bottles to $6 bottles selling for $5."

Almost everything else in the store, including spirits, is 50% off.

The Snyder Block Building was built in 1899. It has been home to a large number of businesses. Over the years, the building fell into disrepair and the Chamberlains spent a lot of their own money to renovate it.

In July, Dennis told The Journal that his move across the street was as much about saving the building as it was about his and his wife's business.

"We saw a building to save," Dennis said in July. "We had two real goals here. One of them was to save another building. We've accomplished that ... We've spent a pretty good chunk of money. We re-bricked this building, re-roofed it. In the upstairs, we have heating and cooling on both floors. All new electrical, all new plumbing. We've gone all through it, and yet, we worked hard to keep the original character here. And I think we've succeeded at that."

Now, the Chamberlains are looking to sell the building to someone who will keep it up.

"We are asking $175,000," Dennis said. "We are taking a loss on this but I want to be philosophical on this here ... The next person who comes in here will be able to at less cost than I did. Let's hope they can come in, get a business and prosper."

Dennis says selling to a local business is also a priority.

"Nothing would make Mary and my hearts feel better than to see a local business in here," Dennis said.

Dennis says the sale would include his liquor license and whatever remains of his stock of spirits. The Chamberlains are selling the building through Katz Realty.