Ms. Brown’s to exit downtown

“I’m just spread so thin, and I’m working every second,” said Cathey Brown, owner of Ms. Brown’s. “I have teenage boys at home.”

Also, Brown said, while she enjoyed the downtown location that opened in summer 2004, her stores didn’t pick up enough business to justify keeping both locations open.

“When I opened downtown, I kind of fell off at the other (store) somewhat, too. Kind of divided my business, so it’s been real hard,” she said.

Brown said she decided to keep the original store open because its rent is cheaper and it’s closer to her home.

“I just had to go for easier in lifestyle than what I’ve been doing for the last year and a half,” said Brown, noting that when her downtown store closes Oct. 22, it will have been open that long.

The annual Ms. Brown’s tent sale will be held Oct. 18-22 at the East Grand store.

“The tent will be up the whole week, and there will be lots of markdowns and lots of closeouts,” Brown said.

Both stores will price all merchandise 20 percent off Oct. 21-22. Once the downtown store closes, inventory will be consolidated at the East Grand store.

“It’s so beautiful, and I love it,” said Brown of downtown Springfield. “I just have to have a simpler lifestyle right now. I’ve not been feeling good, and I’m used to being strong. Life was simpler before.”