When Danielle DeBoe and Sean Bilovecky opened their boutique department store Dredger’s Union on the E 4th Street restaurant row a little over a year ago, it was greeted with an outpouring of media attention. The duo was praised for taking a risk on bringing new retail to downtown with their mix of stylish clothes for men, women and children (including their own private label), gift items, and home furnishings. With Bilovecky’s clothing design experience and DeBoe’s success with her Room Service boutique in Ohio City, it seemed like they had the credentials to bring it off.
Alas, they announced last night that they are shuttering the store as of Saturday, August 18.
Late last night, DeBoe posted on her blog,
It’s Thursday night. Tomorrow morning the news will be out that Dredgers Union will be closing its doors (It’s really surreal to even type that!).
In an email, also sent out last night, announcing a 50% off sale on the entire stock, they said,
It has been an amazing year for all of us at the Dredgers Union. We are proud to have been a part of the revitalization of the city which we all love. We feel fortunate to have met so many wonderful people that share in the same values and passion that the Dredgers Union was built upon. But any true "Renaissance" can take time, and time doesn't always favor those who are at the forefront of change. It is with heavy hearts that we announce the closing of the Dredgers Union.
DeBoe says she’ll refocus on Room Service. And she’ll still be promoting the August 24 Roar Along the Shore, a concert on board the Goodtime III; tickets are available at Room Service and at Dredger’s Union until closing day.
