From going out of business to a grand opening, one store owner in the Poconos is reinventing himself in the tough economy and helping other business owners in the process.
Bill O'Neal knows about struggle. In December his store Durham Trading and Design Fine Furniture near Marshalls Creek went out of business because of the economy.
"There's one thing constant about life and that's change," said Bill O'Neal.
Six months later, however, he is reiventing his business approach and is reopening his building, though this time not as a furniture store but as an indoor flea market.
"We have a lot of great vendors coming in," O'Neal said. "They are starting to set up now and we will open on the may 30 and have everything from soup to nuts."
Parts of the 20,000 square space are now being leased to vendors like Angela and Ernest Munoz who owns 195 Computers. "We thought it was wonderful," said Angela Munoz. "It's beautiful location," said husband, Ernest. "You think about the winter time with the beautiful lights in the front."
So far about 25 vendors have signed up to be apart of the indoor flea market and many of them said the market has helped them stay in business during these tough economic times.
Robert Romano, who owns Dakotas Discount and is negotiating a contract with Durham Trading and design, said these days he's struggling to pay the rent at his current location.
"People are foreclosing, losing their jobs and this man is giving people an opportunity to earn a living in his building and i think that's a fantastic idea," said Romano.
Belt Buckle Kings owner Anna Maria Riccardi said the indoor flea market is giving her business a second chance. "This is an opportunity for us to have a store, a beautiful store front and be able to have when you can't afford the high rents in the mall," Riccardi said.
For O'Neal, the new business move is as much about helping others as it is helping himself. "It's not over til it's over," said O'Neal. "Never give up."
The indoor flea market will be open weekends and a grand opening has been scheduled for Saturday, May 30 at 8 a.m.
Bill O'Neal knows about struggle. In December his store Durham Trading and Design Fine Furniture near Marshalls Creek went out of business because of the economy.
"There's one thing constant about life and that's change," said Bill O'Neal.
Six months later, however, he is reiventing his business approach and is reopening his building, though this time not as a furniture store but as an indoor flea market.
"We have a lot of great vendors coming in," O'Neal said. "They are starting to set up now and we will open on the may 30 and have everything from soup to nuts."
Parts of the 20,000 square space are now being leased to vendors like Angela and Ernest Munoz who owns 195 Computers. "We thought it was wonderful," said Angela Munoz. "It's beautiful location," said husband, Ernest. "You think about the winter time with the beautiful lights in the front."
So far about 25 vendors have signed up to be apart of the indoor flea market and many of them said the market has helped them stay in business during these tough economic times.
Robert Romano, who owns Dakotas Discount and is negotiating a contract with Durham Trading and design, said these days he's struggling to pay the rent at his current location.
"People are foreclosing, losing their jobs and this man is giving people an opportunity to earn a living in his building and i think that's a fantastic idea," said Romano.
Belt Buckle Kings owner Anna Maria Riccardi said the indoor flea market is giving her business a second chance. "This is an opportunity for us to have a store, a beautiful store front and be able to have when you can't afford the high rents in the mall," Riccardi said.
For O'Neal, the new business move is as much about helping others as it is helping himself. "It's not over til it's over," said O'Neal. "Never give up."
The indoor flea market will be open weekends and a grand opening has been scheduled for Saturday, May 30 at 8 a.m.
