Gift Shop To Close, Facing Slow Sales

Wordsworth Gifts, a fixture on Brattle Street for several years, will be closing its doors by the end of 2001, said store owner Hillel Stavis.

Stavis said the store could no longer survive in the weakened economy.

“The economy in Cambridge hasn’t been great in the past year because of all of the tech closings and vacancies,” he said. “It’s unfortunate, but that’s how its been.”

Stavis also cited tough competition and the difficulty of operating a store in the gift shop business.

“It’s a very, very small margin business [and] there are a lot of other gift store competitors,” he said. “After Sept. 11...it became impossible to continue.”

Stavis, who also owns Wordsworth Books and Curious George Goes to Wordsworth, said his other businesses were booming.

Wordsworth Gifts was crowded yesterday with holiday shoppers, tourists and students taking advantage of the 30 percent off sale.

“I’m very sad this is closing,” said customer Judy Linick, a Revere native. “They have a nice variety of unique giftware.”

Stavis said Wordsworth’s problems are not unique.

“Other retailers have noticed a downturn,” he said. “I think retail in general has suffered a little.”

Funny Farm, another long-time member of the Square’s business community, also recently announced it would be closing its doors, citing financial difficulties.