By Ashley M. Casey
Staff Writer
One of Baldwinsville’s beloved shops is closing its doors. Barb and Bill Donaghey announced April 25 that their shop, The Nantucket Cat, will close at the end of the month. The last day of business is expected to be May 27.
The Nantucket Cat, which sells Bill Donaghey’s handmade cat furniture as well as merchandise for cat lovers, has had a brick-and-mortar location in the village for nine years and has been in business for 13 years.
“We love it — we’re not ready to not be doing it,” Barb Donaghey told the Messenger. “We’re very, very happy to have been here. We’ve made great connections here, wonderful friends.
Donaghey said their landlord opted not to renew The Nantucket Cat’s lease so his daughter can open a day spa in the space at 49 Oswego St.
“It wasn’t enough time for us to find a new home,” Donaghey said. “It’ll be a loss for all of us — us and the retail community.”
While the brick-and-mortar location will close, The Nantucket Cat has not run out of its nine lives yet. The Donagheys will return to their roots: traveling to cat shows around the Northeast to sell their wares. Bill Donaghey continues to build his signature cat furniture. He said he has about a half-dozen orders pending.
May 13 will be an open house at The Nantucket Cat. Barb Donaghey said the celebration is a chance to use up the store’s supply of wine slushy mix. The Donagheys’ granddaughter, Lucie, will also host a lemonade stand and hand out free pinwheel spinners to customers at the open house.
“Join us, bring your best smiles, help us move on with good cheer!” the Donagheys wrote in an April 25 email announcing the closure of the store.
The Nantucket Cat will sell all fixtures and marked-down merchandise that the Donagheys can’t use for cat shows. Credit and debit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Discover) will be accepted through May 13; afterward, The Nantucket Cat will accept only cash and checks.
“A huge thank-you is in order for our faithful friends and followers, who have supported, entertained, and kept us in smiles, made us eager to get to work each day,” the Donagheys wrote. “We love you all, you are going to be greatly missed.”
The Nantucket Cat will maintain its Facebook page and website, thenantucketcat.com, so crazy cat ladies — and gentlemen — can keep up with the Donagheys’ touring schedule.
