By Linda Stinnett

 After 15 years in business, Cyndi and John Beckman are closing their Fun At Heart boutique and Blackberry Lane Cookie Co.

Cyndi said this week she has ordered the final supplies and will not reorder. She said she expected to close by the end of the week, at the latest.

Beckman first opened as Cindy’s Showcase in Newton. She moved the boutique to Derby in 2003, first to Bristol Square and then to Madison Place at 1710 E. Madison. 

At that location she was neighbors with Blackberry Lane. When its owner, Kelly Giles, took another job and closed the cookie business, the Beckmans purchased the store and consolidated both in one location in 2009.

At about that time, though, the economy began suffering.

“People don’t spend the way they used to spend,” Beckman said. 

Dillons also closed its store across the street and moved further north on Rock Road. That created a new traffic pattern for the community and has taken its toll on the businesses at Rock and Madison, she said.

After school and work shoppers at the larger company used to stop by her business while they were driving by.

“This corner is just different now,” she said.

With no other business going into the former Dillons store, traffic has not picked back up.

“It’s keeping this area from any further growth,” she said. 

She has not made future plans and said she appreciated the many loyal customers who have stopped by to tell her goodbye.

User Comments

• Old Dillions

  "It is not right that Dillon's is able to strangle that corner because of their greed. Derby has been very good to Dillion's. Dillion's should have the decency to be a good corporate citizen to the Derby community instead of killing economic growth. They have created a blighted area at that intersection and they could care less. It is wrong on so many levels. I wish there were more competition because we are being held hostage by Dillion's."

  Posted by Cookie Lover on Jun. 27, 2012

• Old Dillons

  "I agree with Sandy, the old Dillons building would be the perfect location for the new Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market or any other business for that matter. It is too bad that Dillons fear of competition is getting in the way of progress in Derby. Not to mention needed jobs. "

  Posted by Christine on Jun. 27, 2012

• Old Dillons

  "Dillons will not allow any grocery/food store to occupy the old location. They don't want the competition and are hurting the Derby area because of this. It's all about greed."

  Posted by LadyBug on Jun. 27, 2012

• Old Dillons

  "I would love for a Hobby Lobby to go in where the old Dillons is. I'm surprised that the DRC hasn't bought it up in order to use it for basketball courts. If it were turned into a building full of courts the middle school/high school could host more tournaments, charging admission which would create revenue. And people in the tournaments would eat at the places across the street. Everyone benefits. Summer basketball tournaments that are "hosted" by Derby have been played at Carroll. "

  Posted by A on Jun. 27, 2012

• Old Dillons

  "This building should be put to use. This would be a perfect location for the WalMart Neighborhood Market instead of being further south. The community would benefit more if it would use this location. If not, Derby needs to go out an look for a business to take that location and help to revitalize that area before it's to late."

  Posted by Sandy on Jun. 27, 2012

• Old Dillions

  "Does anyone know the plans for the bldg Dillion's abandoned? or will it remain an eyesore and a economic drain on the S. side of Derby? "

  Posted by Cookie Lover on Jun. 27, 2012