Theresa Silva isn’t sure exactly what she will do after she closes Theresa’s Culinary Creations on Saturday.
“I’ll probably sit on my couch for a week and think,” Silva said sadly.
After nearly nine years in Stonington Borough, Silva is closing the shop that sells an array of goodies and sandwiches. Silva said she just couldn’t see how to keep the place going any longer.
“The downward spiral started with Irene. That was tough, we never fully recovered,” Silva said adding that this past summer wasn’t stellar either.
Silva first opened Theresa’s Culinary Creations on Church Street, but moved to the current Water Street location after three years hoping for more foot traffic.
That foot traffic never really came, Silva said, and even though she has a group of loyal customers she loves, there just wasn't enough business.
“I tried all kinds of things,” Silva said. “I added produce, fresh bread but after the fall I’d just start throwing it away.”
This summer Silva even tried briefly moving the candy portion of her shop to another location on Water Street under the name Theresa’s Sweet Shoppe.
Stonington resident Wendy Bury said Silva is one of the hardest working people she knows and she will miss the business.
“It is a loss to the borough with Theresa’s closing,” Bury said. “I know what a difficult decision this was for her. It is a sign of the times, especially in the borough, where the challenges for some businesses are increasing. For some owners whose business is their livelihood, this has been a difficult few years.”
When Silva first opened the doors to Theresa’s Culinary Creations years ago she wanted the place to be a homey spot in the borough. A place where she worked with her own family, and a where locals would come and enjoy a coffee while reading the newspaper or talking to friends.
“I’ve lived, worked and breathed Stonington Borough,” Silva said.
