La Perla Going Out of Business After 21 Years in West Hartford

Just three months after he moved his store back to West Hartford Center from Blue Back Square, Bob La Perla is closing up shop for good.

The going-out-of-business sale began on Wednesday, and will continue until the inventory is gone. "La Perla Jewelers will conclude business by the conclusion of summer," La Perla said.

The reason for the closing is due to the calling of a loan by an investor, La Perla said. He said he had stalled payments to have cash flow for the move from 95 Memorial Rd. to 1000 Farmington Ave. which took place in early April, but the investor wouldn't wait and going out of business was left as the only option.

"June was the worst ever in my 21 years of business," La Perla said. Many factors could be the cause, but he really thinks "fear of the unknown" in Connecticut has hurt fine jewelry sales. La Perla said that he has several friends who have decided to leave the state because of the tax situation here.

"It's tough to be a luxury business in this economy," he said. A sales representative who popped in to meet with La Perla agreed that "there are a lot of things fighting for the dollar."

La Perla said the decision is "too fresh" to know what the future will hold but admits that he needs a successful going-out-of-business sale. "What I need to be is strong, for my staff, for my family, and for the community."

In the waning days of his business, La Perla, who believes he has donated over $1 million to charities in the past two decades, is continuing to give back. On Monday, 10 percent of sales will go to Cherish the Children and on Tuesday he will donate 10 percent to the Bridge.

"I'm grateful for the support of my customers. They have allowed me to be a father to my son, a husband to my wife, and a friend to the community."