Harry W. Yaseen Jewelers, Pottery Barn and Li’l Deb-n-Heir will be closing over the next couple of months in Naperville, the businesses have announced.
Going-out-of-business signs cover the storefront windows of Harry W. Yaseen Jewelers, 226 S. Washington St. Owner Larry Yaseen said he is closing the store to retire, spend more time with family, and is moving to North or South Carolina.
“I want to enjoy some of my life and I didn’t want to work six days a week anymore. You only get one life,” said Yaseen, 73.
“He’s going to go and enjoy life and focus on his hobbies, which we’re so excited for,” added Downtown Naperville Alliance Executive Director Danielle Tufano.
The lease runs through March but Yaseen said the store will likely close sooner.
Harry W. Yaseen Jewelers opened in Naperville 18 years ago, but the business originated in Chicago Heights in 1910 under Yaseen’s grandfather, Harry. The jewelry store relocated to Flossmoor in 1972.
Larry Yaseen took over as third-generation owner in 1979 from his father, Richard.
Yaseen said he’s seen downtown Naperville change, with the growth of the restaurant scene and more corporate retailers and restaurants establishing downtown.
“I’m a believer in small business, which is the heart and soul of the community,” he said.
Tufano said she expects a shift to more shops coming into the downtown district.
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“Eventually we would anticipate it to sling around and see more retailers come. It just goes back and forth,” she said.
Pottery Barn, 9 Jackson Ave., are closing in early 2022, with store closing signs and discounts visible inside Pottery Barn. An employee at Pottery Barn said it could close as soon as January.
While no store closing signs were posted at Williams-Sonoma midweek, employees said the store was closing in early 2022.
A banner above the two storefronts says the building is for sale. A representative for the building owners, Atlas Partners, said it has been for sale for a couple of months.
Williams-Sonoma, Inc., operates both brands. Email requests to officials with Pottery Barn and Williams-Sonoma were not returned.
The children’s furniture store Li’l Deb-n-Heir, 540 E. Ogden Ave., is having its final sales on Friday and Saturday. It, too, has had store closing signs up announcing its impending closure.
A store employee said the owners did not want to speak on the matter, only referring to a public post on the store website. The letter said Li’l Deb-n-Heir is closing because ownership has decided to retire.
“We thank you and all our wonderful customers for helping make Li’l Deb-n-Heir Chicagoland’s premier children’s furniture boutique since 1947,” owner Ron Heinze said in the announcement.
“We have shared your joy during your special moments, and the friendships we’ve made have enriched the lives of the Amato and Heinze families over the span of three generations,” he added.