Port of Call home furnishings to close March 31

Owners: ‘One door closes and another opens, By Roger Gavan Warwick - After six years of operation on Main Street in Warwick, Port of Call Home Furnishings and The Gallery at Port of Call will close its doors for the last time this Saturday, March 31. Businesses come and go but when Anthony and Deborah Blomfield opened Port of Call, their first retail venture, on June 29, 2001, it was intended to be more than a business. With the inclusion of the art gallery, Port of Call also offered a community service that many are saying will be sadly missed. “It was a good forum for local artists,” said Anthony Blomfield. “And it was our way of giving something back to the community.” Although the upper level of the historic building was a commercial gallery featuring fine works of art, it was also available in support of the annual Warwick Art Festival and fundraising events for non-profit organizations such as St. Anthony Community Hospital. Throughout the year, The Gallery at Port of Call offered an aesthetic setting for works of art by local artists and an opportunity for residents and visitors to enjoy the ever-changing exhibits. “Port of Call was a quality business in a magnificent historic building,” said Warwick Mayor Michael Newhard. “It was an anchor that brought people to our village. And the owners, Tony and Deborah, were not only kind to artists but when their gallery space could serve students, craftspeople, well-deserving organizations or even the village itself, they were always generous. We are thankful for the six years we had Port of Call and we will miss it a great deal.” Contrary to some assumptions, the home furnishings business on the ground level was profitable and, in fact, enjoyed its best year in 2006. But Blomfield admitted that it did not meet financial expectations. The rewards, he explained, didn’t match the time and effort involved, and the prospect for significant future growth was dim. The owners were also reluctant to reallocate space or make any drastic changes to their original plan. “We’re sorry to close after all these years but that’s OK,” said Blomfield. “This was a wonderful experience. We enjoyed our relationship with our customers, the artist’s community and the fact that people enjoyed visiting our gallery.” Deborah Blomfield, who served four years as a member of the Board of Directors for the Warwick Valley Chamber of Commerce and also as past president of the Merchant Guild, will continue serving as chair of the Warwick IBA (Independent Business Alliance), which she co-founded. “I‘m a strong believer in the value of this organization to our community and I remain committed,” she said. Deborah Blomfield, who also is an experienced designer, said she plans to join the staff of Pamela Bayer Interiors. In her role as manager of Port of Call Home Furnishings, Blomfield has been working with Bayer, who is Internationally famous for her wealthy and celebrity clientele. “I will not have to work as many hours and I’ll have an opportunity to see more of my eleven-year-old son, Nicholas,” she said. Tony Blomfield, who has previous expertise in data processing and corporate management, will continue serving as a consultant to a large property development company. “I really appreciate that Tony and Deborah kept this business going all these years,” said Linda Glohs, executive director of the Warwick Valley Chamber of Commerce. “The Gallery at Port of Call has become essential to the artists’ community and the presence of fine art in Warwick. We are hopeful that another facility with similar space for our local artists will soon be available.” Mary Beth Schlichting, president of the Merchant Guild, was delighted that Deborah Blomfield has decided to stay on as chair of the Independent Business Alliance. However, she was saddened by the closing of Port of Call and cautioned that few people realize how important some businesses are to a community until they leave. She added that most do not know how demanding operating a retail establishment can be. “It’s twenty-four seven,” she said. “We’re working every day and long after our businesses close for the evening.” Schlichting reported that several new businesses have already expressed interest in renting the space vacated by Port of Call. “I’m optimistic,” she said. “One door closes and another opens.”