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StumbleEconomy claims Henderson’s last independent bookseller
Despite efforts of patrons and employees, downturn forcing business to close
Mona Shield Payne / Special to the Home News
Cheesecake and Crime, a mystery book shop and cheesecake joint, is closing its doors Feb. 28 due to a loss in consumer spending and financial funding. Owners Pam and Lendall Mains are no longer in a position of keeping the business afloat after depleting their personal savings and 401(k) accounts.
Thursday, Feb. 5, 2009 | 1:44 p.m.
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Cheesecake and Crime
Facing economic collapse in the new year and no cash for payroll, independent bookseller Cheesecake and Crime did what the world’s largest banks, car dealers and financial services institutions have done: The owners asked for a bailout.
But unlike most of those S&P 500 companies, they won’t be reorganizing with federal money. In fact, they won’t be reorganizing at all.
Henderson's last locally owned new mainstream bookseller will close its doors on Feb. 28. Its owners — bookseller Pamela Mains and her husband, Lendall, a cheesecake chef — are regrouping after an appeal to friends brought in enough money to keep the store open through January.
These Henderson executives aren’t getting sweetheart bonuses or corporate pensions.
“We’re not a big business,” Pamela Mains said Monday at her bookstore, where the signs of closure were already evident: sale signs on the windows, depleting merchandise on the shelves, price tags on everything. “We had no big perks. No redecorating my office for a million dollars. None of that fun stuff.”
Mains and her husband, cheesecake chef Lendall Mains, opened the store at 10545 S. Eastern Avenue about 14 months ago. They started off correctly, and at first, the money was coming in, Lendall Mains said. They used all their savings and retirement monies to build out the 2,300-square-foot space, which came to about $350,000, he said.
They did everything right to make a small business successful, said fan Bernice Davidson, who owns Davidson Associates, a Henderson marketing and promotions company.
“The economy is putting her out of business because people are just afraid to spend money,” she said.
Davidson is still in disbelief that her favorite bookstore is closing. She attended her final book club meeting Monday night, but she’s hesitant to say “final.” She is hoping for an angel to intercede.
Over the store’s life it has garnered an e-mail list of about 1,800 customers. Mains sent out her bailout request to those customers around Christmas.
“For years people have told me, when you get in trouble, ask friends for help,” Mains said. “So, I thought, let’s do our own bail-out e-mail. We told people we’re in dire straits. It calls for desperate actions. Please send us $100.”
She also sent out a letter to all of Nevada’s political representatives, asking for the help they’d given the auto companies and the banks. The only response they got was a form letter from Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev.
Loyal customers cared enough to send in about $1,700. Some also blitzed the store with hundred of dollars in book purchases. Mains received one negative response to her request.
The gifts helped them fund payroll and stay open through January. By that time the business was just down to one contract employee, sous chef Liz Kerr. Laid-off employees have continued to come in to volunteer.
“I want them to succeed,” former employee Sharon Pritchard said. She’s been laid off twice from the bookstore and comes in twice a week just to help.
It is common for family and friends to donate their time to keep the family business running. But in this economic environment, even that hasn’t helped. The Mainses have slashed book prices 40 percent. They’re selling all the assets. The Cheesecake and Crime trademark, its popular recipes and concept are also for sale, but the couple may decide to hold onto it for cheerier times.
“I’m glad we did it,” Pamela Mains said. “His dream was to have a bakery. Mine was to have a bookstore. So we combined the two and it worked — for a while.”
She said the couple will struggle financially for the next few months. They still have Lendall Mains’ architectural business. But that has limited credit and is down to one contract employee from eight.
“It all comes back to the economy,” Pamela Mains said. “And everybody is in the same boat.”
Mains will continue her publisher accounts so that she can work as an independent seller at special events. She also hopes to start a career as a marketing agent for authors. They also will keep the Web site, www.cheesecakeandcrime.com, and phone number so they can do special events.
Mains will still be driving her 2005 Chrysler around town. She won’t be going any where in a jet anytime soon.
Becky Bosshart can be reached at 990-7748 or becky.bosshart@hbcpub.com.
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The Sun
Locally owned and independent for more than 50 years.
And some people want to raise taxes on businesses and residents when consumption and profits are down? We'll see more people like this lose their jobs and their small companies.
Damn it!!!!!
If they just wanted a few more months and the state would have increased their taxes.
Business do much better when their taxes get increased.
Just a few months too short........
Like I said years ago (five or six years ago), we're all on the Titanic with Captain Bush at the helm. There may be a new captain but it's the same sinking ship.
Don't live on that side of town but it's a shame the store is going out of business. I hope you guys are able to start up again in some capacity in the future.
Raise taxes on BIG businesses, not on the small ones, KDR. I'm so getting tired of your no-taxes, little-government, privatize-higher ed, right-wing, NPRI B.S.
I agree with Morgen.
Why limit the benefical effect of raising taxes on small businesses?
We should go after big businesses like the Wynn, Stations and MGM.
With higher taxes that will help them cope with those problems of reducing salaries, 401K, work hours and layoffs.
Big businesses and small businesses need the helping hand of higher taxes.
With higher taxes, we are all winners!!!!!
Nance in case you missed the point with your snarky bs nonsense, he said to not raise taxes on small businesses.
Your litany of ironic big tax pumping is beyond annoying and more than a tad patronizing. Why don't you come up with a real solution instead of acting like a smarta$$.
Wait a minute-what about the independent psychic bookstore located in Lake Las Vegas? It's still in business, and having at least 5 browsers a day. Yes, LLV is closing a golf course, and they are down to 3 restaurants from 7. But look at the bright side-the goofs at the City of Henderson who spent 33 Million to assist this disaster have assured us that we will get all our taxpayer money back from assessments on the homes in the area-except they're all going into foreclosure, so maybe not all of it. But at least we have a bookstore-right?
What?????? I am sure that Buckley has found a solution in these very tough economic times to help both the small businesses and the big businesses.....her solution.....higher taxes.
It is a win-win-win.
Government employees get to keep their jobs, COLA's and Platinum benefit packages.
Small and big businesses will just have to layoff more employees or shut down completely.
Average Joe/Jane (not employed in the government) can live in the street off unemployement checks.
Higher taxes is the best solution...win-win-win.
bdover if you went to the psychic bookstore you would have known this was going to happen. Sorry couldn't let it sit.
This is a tragedy, small businesses will fall one by one.
The "stimulate special interest" plan won't help.
Contrary to un-informed popular opinion small businesses get a great deal of help from big-business. Who do you think manufactures and or distributes the books, the food supplies, the electricity, the tools they use, etc etc?
Raise taxes on "big business" and the cost is passed onto all their consumers, including small businesses.
Their biggest mistake was spending $350k for a massive buildout by depleting their 401k and having to pay about 35 % in taxes and potentially a 10% penalty (if they are under 59 1/2) just to open the doors leaving them with no safety net.