Another downtown Rochester store calls it a day

Marilyn's Unique Boutique will close its doors for good today. (Courtesy photo)

ROCHESTER - Saying she couldn't wait any longer for downtown Rochester's long-awaited rebirth, the owner of Marilyn's Unique Boutique is calling it quits.

Sue Smith, who has owned the South Main Street business for about two and a half years, said she's very sad to have to close, but a slow but steady loss of foot traffic and diminishing sales over the past year has led her to make the difficult decision to shut down.

Smith, who lives in Wakefield, said she'll close for good today at 3 p.m.

"It's said," she said Friday afternoon. "I've met a lot of customers who have become friends. But the (downtown) turnaround hasn't happened, and I can't wait that long."

Loyal customer Cindy Byrnes said the loss of the shop is a loss for Rochester.

"We're all gonna miss Sue, miss her a lot," Byrnes said as she gave Smith a hug.

While Smith said she had mixed emotions about closing the women's apparel and accessories store, she said it's not all bad.

"It's too bad, but it will be a relief not to have the stress of being self-employed," she said.

Until she closes today all apparel is just $1 per item.