Glen Speer's idea was that his Mongoose Junction would be a venue for artists to create and sell their works. Donald Schnell and Constance Wallace
were two of the original tenants. Schnell packed up his pots and clay
and sculpture and left a few weeks ago. Wallace closed her Clothing
Studio last weekend. She's been in business there for 22 years.
Wallace blamed "market changes and increasing competition," according to the St. John Source.
Some of the retailers' competition comes from Mongoose 2, next door. Its merchants offer Hawaiian shirts, kites, furniture and varied other items, more "touristy" than artful. Three other business in the original Mongoose are also publicly listed for sale.
The turnover in merchants at Mongoose, along with construction of a new restaurant at the center, suggests the same kind of impact on locally-owned businesses that is being seen in the current condo and resort developments. Most likely rising rents, and other rising costs are making it tough for "the little guy".