Heather Hill Farms LLC is closing after more than two decades in business, its owner said.
Heather Alder, who founded the gourmet food, cheese, wine and gifts shop in 2002, said the 5255 N. 17th St. store in Ozark would operate through Sept. 15. An auction of the store's merchandise is scheduled Sept. 27, she said.
Alder cited failed lease negotiations with Lambert’s Cafe, the owner of the Hopedale Plaza center where Heather Hill Farms resides. The Ozark location of Lambert's is adjacent to the shopping center.
"They presented all of the stores with new leases this year. I was negotiating with them ... because it was quite an increase for me," Alder said. "In the midst of the negotiations, they told me they were withdrawing their offer of a lease and wanted me to leave in 60 days."
Alder said she was informed of Lambert's plans around the first of August. She noted it is her understanding that other stores in Hopedale Plaza have signed new leases. For Heather Hill Farms, the rent increase was more than double, she said.
"As a businessperson, you do a budget, and you can't just agree to something that you can't figure out how you're going to do it," Alder said, noting she offered three alternatives during negotiations.
Brent Moore, a manager at Lambert's, declined to comment, though he did confirm the company's ownership of Hopedale Plaza.
Alder said while she's open to continuing Heather Hill Farms in the future, the time frame called for a quick decision.
"With a short time period like that, you have to pick a course and go toward it. You don't have time to try A, B and C and decide later which way you want to go," she said. "I had no plans on closing. It's a little bit of a surprise to me and of course a disappointment."
Alder, who said Heather Hill Farms' six employees are looking for other jobs, indicated she does not intend to retire as part of the store’s planned closure next month.
Heather Hill Farms, located near U.S. Highway 65, is known for its variety of cheeses that can be sampled before purchase, as well as a selection of wines and other products.
"We've been here a long time, and we've really enjoyed being part of the community," Alder said.