Businesses relocating and reopening as 2007 gets underway
BY MARY LANCASTER
In keeping with the latest pattern, local retailers are continuing to move their businesses to new locations downtown, and in one instance, a store that closed in 1986 is reopening with an expanded product line.

As soon as Nantucket Island Resorts completes a division of the lower Main Street building formerly occupied for 22 years by Island Pursuit, which has moved to Chappy at 42 Main, the corner of Easy and Main streets will house John and Elaine Martin's The Best of the Beach, moving from 19 Centre Street, and Shoreline Design, relocating from 34 Straight Wharf.

Joyce Kramer, owner of Shoreline Design, has been in business on Nantucket for 15 years and carries a line called Life is Good. The products, developed by two brothers, include Tshirts and hats, outdoor clothing and pet accessories and will soon include outdoor home accessories beyond the tables Kramer already sells. Her store also carries Wek, a fleece line, clothing designed by G.S. Hill, and will introduce lines of shoes.

"We feel it's more in the heart of Nantucket and a larger space than what we've had," Kramer said of her move. "Since we were ready to expand we wanted a larger space."

From 1977 through 1986, Nancy England was co-owner of Peter England, a clothing store on Easy Street where Provisions and Juice Guys is now located. Since then she has continued her design work and sales of clothing on a wholesale basis. She will maintain the wholesale outlet, but now is ready and excited to reopen a retail business at 11 Old South Wharf, previously Gallery Blue.

Peter England Nantucket will welcome the presence of Nancy's daughter Kari, who also is a designer. Her son, Peter England Jr., is running the business Web site. The new store will offer women's sweaters, some made of rare and hard-to-find yarns, wraps, pants, skirts, bags, accessories, some men's and infant's apparel, throws, pillows and a home collection.

"Opening a retail store on Nantucket will, I think, complement and add another dimension to my wholesale business," said England. "And I do look forward to reconnecting with my Nantucket customers."

Other changes will take place on Federal Street where Eye of the Needle owner Karen Golov is moving her Eye of the Needle Girls at 18 Federal into the 14 Federal store for women and relocating her high-end men's clothing store, Mister, previously at 27 Easy St., into 18 Federal.

England's 11 Old South Wharf space became available because Gallery Blue is moving from there to Mary Beth Splaine's former South Wharf Gallery and annex at number 21. Splaine decided last year to relocate

her art business to 3 India St. I