Just under four years ago, they were cutting the ribbon on their shiny new enterprise in the Orchards Park Shopping Center along Mall Place in Benton Harbor. A little over a year ago they were one of the finalists for the Celebration! Cinemas Celebrated Service Award, and after being closed down between the holidays for inventory purposes the Benton Harbor home of Edible Arrangements has elected to close for good.
The phone message still says that they are “closed for inventory,” and wishes everyone a Happy New Year, but the New Year has dawned with their announced departure. The sign on the door also indicated an inventory process was underway, but on Facebook Wednesday, owner Gale Rue posted word of the end of the line:
Happy New Year to all! Thanks to the loyal customers who patronized our store the past four years. As of December 31st we have closed our doors! It has been a privilege and a pleasure serving you. If you should need to place an order, South Bend, Indiana Edible Arrangements location will be serving this area. Please contact them for all your gifting needs. Again, thanks for the many who were not just customers, but friends! We will miss you all!
The colorful shop at 1972 Mall Place opened with considerable fanfare in March of 2015 as a change of pace for Rue who worked through the Cornerstone Alliance Women’s Business Center’s microloan program to obtain the national franchise. Ultimately, it appears that the decision to close was based on financial considerations.
Edible Arrangements is a national retail franchise that specializes in the creation of fruit bouquets for all sorts of occasions, plus fruit smoothies, parfaits, and salads.
