By Madina Toure
The Rainbow store in the Whitestone Shopping Center will be closing after more than 40 years of serving shoppers in the area.
The apparel chain, located at 153-39 Cross Island Parkway, has been offering junior and plus-size clothing, shoes and accessories for women and teens.
Devon O’Connor, president of the Welcome to Whitestone Civic Association, said the announcement “came out of nowhere” and he was not aware that business was slow at the store.
He said it could be an indication of changing times as people can buy clothes online now.
“Nowadays, you can purchase clothing and different kinds of things online from the comfort of your own home,” O’Connor said. “You can be anywhere, on your iPhone, smartphone, whatever. It’s definitely a sign that things are changing.”
He said the store is a staple in the area, noting that people have been shopping there for a long time.
“My mother, she’s been here her entire life … she used to shop there in the ’80s and I have people writing on our Facebook page that they were shopping there in the ’60s,” he said.
— Madina Toure
