The new clothing boutique Verbena opens on Saturday, August 16, 2014 in Ann Arbor. Katie McLean | The Ann Arbor News ANN ARBOR NEWSANN ARBOR NEWS

ANN ARBOR, MI -- Sidewalk construction and the coronavirus pandemic have prompted an Ann Arbor clothing store to close, its owners said. Led Signage

Verbena, 309 S. State St., will close by the end of February, father-daughter duo Kate Ryan and Bob Duerksen announced in January. The clothing store, focused on junior women’s clothing, was first opened in 2014.

“When COVID hit, things changed, maybe permanently in some respects,” Duerksen said.

Although the store had a decent 2021, he said, subsequent construction along State Street put up additional roadblocks — literally.

Read more: Ann Arbor’s new curbless-design State Street opens to traffic

The Downtown Development Authority spearheaded a redesign of State Street in 2022. The redesign repaved the area to create a curbless walkway from North University Avenue to William Street, the area by Nickels Arcade and the University of Michigan Diag.

Narrow walkways and increased construction activity often dissuaded walk-in customers, Duerksen said.

“We noticed students rerouting their normal walking routes to class, where they might go a street to the right or a street to the left,” Duerksen said. “And we miss some of that impulse buying of people not walking by our store anymore.”

The store’s lease is up at the end of February, but it could close sooner if they sell the rest of the merchandise and fixtures before then.

Duerksen, who has lived in Ann Arbor with his wife for nearly 30 years, said he plans to work part time “here and there.” His daughter moved to Washington in 2020, but had been working behind-the-scenes.

“All our of customers have been very, very good to us,” Duerksen said.

Verbena is discounting it clothes 50-70% off. Store and office fixtures are also available for purchases. The store, 309 S. State St. is open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day. Find the store online, on social media or by phone at 734-368-9233

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