IRONWOOD, MI - Friday, May 09, 2008 - Back in 1988, Nicole Swanson graduated high school. She went to work for Michael Rosen at Michael's Shoe Store. She worked for Rosen for fourteen years.

Danny O'Sullivan used to work for Super One. Rosen put an ad in the paper looking for an assistant manager because Nicole needed more time for her kids. O'Sullivan was looking for something different. He was sick of working a salary position that consumed his life, so he applied. He got the job.

In 2002, Rosen decided to sell the business. Nicole and Danny felt it was time to take the plunge and go into business for themselves. "It was fate!" Nicole said with a chuckle. Danny and Nicole have been business partners in the "Goodie Two Shoes" ever since!

From the very beginning business was relatively good. The store did a decent volume, and the new entrepreneurs enjoyed being their own bosses. It's a difficult thing to run a business. It's an even more difficult thing to run a business with a partner. It's very unusual for two friends to be in business together; remain friends; and stay in business. Nicole and Danny found the formula however.

Swanson and O'Sullivan were successful business partners. They managed to stay in business even though economy was very volatile. Remember they bought the business in 2002, just months after the World Trade Center was reduced to rubble. Many businesses after 9/11 failed. People were unsure of the economy. The World Trade Center was like the Pentagon of the business world. Many investors started cutting back. The ensuing war with Iraq and the ongoing trouble in the Middle East played havoc with American dollar.

Yet, Goodie Two Shoes plugged along. O'Sullivan told the Chronicle that business was relatively good until the gas prices started going through the roof. He explained that the bulk of their business was Canadian and other out-of-town trade. With the increased gas prices, higher home heating fuel costs, and general down-turn in the economy due to the price of crude oil, business suffered. So, after six years in business, Danny and Nicole decided to call it quits.

On June 30, 2008, Goodie Two Shoes will close it's doors for the final time.

Nicole and Danny look forward going to work for someone else. Although they will miss the people – their workers and customers – they will welcome a steady paycheck and the lack of stress a "9 to 5" provides. Neither of them are sure exactly what they want to do after the store closes, but they both agree that they don't want to work for themselves.

The partners told the Chronicle that the new Wal-Mart didn't play a huge role in their decision to close their business. They said the price of gas did more to hurt their bottom line than anything – although traffic has been reduced to some degree since Wal-Mart opened.

People don't realize how much work being in business for yourself can be. There are always long hours, and there is often little return. Costs are high – rent, fuel, electricity, and cost of goods. Manufacturers don't cater to "mom and pop" shops. They like to make huge sales to "big box" stores. Often retailers are forced to pay a more for their merchandise than "big box" stores or the internet are selling them for. Corporate America is trying their hardest to squeeze out the small independent stores.

At one time, wholesale pricing was simple and it was fair. The more merchandise you bought, the better price break you got on each item. Since Wal-Mart and other corporate retailers came along, the rules have changed. Prices are set by the big retailers, not by volume of purchase. If you are a small independent store, you will always pay a higher price.

Nicole and Danny said it's sad that people don't have options to shop in Ironwood like they should. Wal-Mart sells clothes, but they don't see the fashions that young people are looking for. Kids have no other option to shop out of town. O'Sullivan pointed out that competition in the clothing business is a great thing – the more clothing stores, the larger variety – the larger variety, the more customers shop in all of the stores. People like to browse from store to store to pick and choose what they want. Everybody benefits when there is a variety of retailers in a local district.

Right now, Nicole and Danny are faced with the monumental task of liquidating their inventory. They estimate they have over 8,000 pairs of shoes to sell. They have accessories and even store fixtures they need to sell as well. "Men's, women's, kids, sandals, work boots, fixtures, computer, security system if they want it, everything has to go!"

Ms. Swanson and Mr. O'Sullivan told the Chronicle that they will keep us updated as their "Going Out of Business Sale" progresses.

The Chronicle and this reporter would like to wish Nicole Swanson and Danny O'Sullivan the very best of luck in their future endeavors. They seem like very nice people.

Jim Albert