The coronavirus pandemic has claimed yet another business: The Xchange Boutique.
The Xchange Boutique, at 830 E. High St. in Jefferson City, will close by the end of August, if not sooner, owners Sherry and Bill King said.
The shop temporarily closed in the spring amid the county and state stay-at-home orders but reopened in May.
Since reopening, store traffic has been slower as customers are still cautious, Sherry said. Department stores are also offering large sales, taking away business from the small East High Street resale shop, she added.
Then came the final nail in the coffin.
While clothes were in one portion of the store, Bill offered appliances in the other half of the shop. When several manufacturers halted appliance production, Bill said, he couldn't replenish his supply. Many manufacturers do not know when they will begin producing appliances again, he added.
"Once we knew we couldn't get any more appliances, that was our nail," Sherry said. "We needed to step back and regroup and see how this thing plays out."
Bill joked he has his inventory memorized since there are so few appliances left - a few stoves, microwaves and dishwashers.
The Kings are offering daily specials at The Xchange Boutique until the store closes. Shoppers can visit The Xchange Boutique's Facebook page to view those specials.
Sherry said she wants to donate several products to nonprofits and those in need on the east side of Jefferson City.
The Kings aren't calling it quits entirely. They hope to open a new store that will have some clothes but mainly focus on small appliances and refurbished furniture.
The new store will be in a different location, but the Kings are unsure where and when it will open.
"There are about five or six balls up in the air, but we just don't know which ones to catch at this point," Bill said.
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