Business & Tech

Short on Business But Not Heart, Cup N Board to Close

The Cup N Board will close up shop on Aug. 19.

Ten months after opening its door to commuters and customers, The will close.

The shop, located on Burrill street, could not weather the weak economy it was born into.

The Cup N Board specializes in micro-brewed beers and organic, sustainable, boutique wines. It also serves pressed sandwiches and carries fair-trade chocolate.

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Owner Susan Ellsworth is braving the closing of her shop with a smile on her face. 

The Cup N Board was her first business. She said she always wanted to be her own boss. 

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"If you don't try, you'll never know," Ellsworth said. 

And that's exactly what she did.

The store will be closing on Aug. 19 until further notice, while she tries to find a better location. But, she's in no rush. It could take a year, it could take two, Ellsworth said.

She hopes the second time around, things will be better. 

To Ellsworth, her shop's location is one of the biggest obstacles she had to face. 

Despite being across the street from the commuter rail station, there isn't a lot of foot traffic headed her way, she said.

That, combined with a lack of available parking spots made it difficult to keep her business afloat. 

"The location is the hardest," Ellsworth said. 

Nearby competition from a liquor store and Whole Foods, which sells organic items, made it difficult for The Cup N Board to compete, she said. 

"I'm too little," Ellsworth said, "I can't compete with them in any location."

Ellsworth noted that it's difficult for smaller businesses to succeed in the town.

"They're not unfriendly, but there are so many rules and regulations it makes it difficult," Ellsworth said. 

According to Ellsworth, she could not have a sandwich board outside of her shop because it was against town regulations. She used to have a flag that signaled the store was open, but was asked by the town to take it down.

Still, Ellsworth is resolute that if she opens another business it will be in town. 

"If I do another business I will only do it in Swampscott," Ellsworth said. "For me to do this out there, I wouldn't even think about it. I live in Swampscott so I would want to stay here."

Customer Lisa Julien-Hayes was shopping at The Cup N Board on Wednesday afternoon. 

Julien-Hayes affectionately refers to Ellsworth as Suki. 

"I cried because Suki and I have bonded because of opening her store," Julien-Hayes said about the moment she found out it was closing. 

On average Julien-Hayes goes to the store at least three times a week. But, on Wednesday alone, she had been there twice. 

When the store closes Julien-Hayes said she probably won't eat out as much. "She has a niche," she said, "no one offers her kind of products."

Ellsworth said she will miss the relationships she has cultivated with her customers. 

"That's the saddest part," Ellsworth said. "Eventually you build a rapport with everyone."

For Ellsworth it's been a good experience that taught her about running her own business. 

"I thought I was on the right path; I don't know, I just don't think this is for Swampscott," Ellsworth said. "There's no answer, I wish there was an answer."

On Friday, Aug. 12, from 5 to 7 p.m. there will be a free Pretty Things Beer tasting. 


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