Bone Ami closes its doors

On Saturday, Diane Rowenhorst flipped over the “CLOSED” sign on her door at her pet accessory and supply shop, Bone Ami, for the last time.
“It was sad,” she said.
After nearly three years of being part of the downtown business community, Rowenhorst said her decision to close was an economic one.
“It’s been tight over the past year,” she said, “and I’ve been paying close attention to the economists’ reports. They are saying that the economy isn’t going to make a quick rebound and I didn’t want to struggle for another one to two years.”
Rowenhorst admits that she worries she’s letting her neighbors — nearby business owners — down.
“No one wants an empty storefront next to them,” she explains.
But closing the doors to her shop doesn’t mean that Rowenhorst has entirely given up on her dream.
“(My husband and I) both love the business and we think we have a good thing. We’re looking at this as just putting Bone Ami ‘to sleep’ for awhile.”
The former small business manager says she found her passion for downtown Jonesborough while working as a waitress at former restaurant, Dogwood Lane. “After getting to know everyone and working downtown, I decided I wanted to become part of this business community,” she says.
Rowenhorst says she still wants very much to remain involved in the downtown business group.
“Having an organized business organization would help others who are struggling,” Rowenhorst says. “I think it could make a huge difference.”
“I don’t think it’s solely the Town of Jonesborough’s responsibility for things being the way they are. We all have had a part to play in the way things are right now. There’s just not enough communication between the Visitor’s Center, the Town of Jonesborough and the businesses.”
“I don’t think we’ve worked together as a team very well.It’s going to take all of us. One person can’t come in and fix this.”
Rowenhorst, who admits that she “wears rose-colored glasses”, says that after everything is all said and done, she feels “deep down that something positive will come of this.”
“You can teach an old dog new tricks,” she says, “and I’m ready to learn a new one. I’m not done yet.”