Business & Tech

In Another Sign of a Changing Fort Greene, Carol's Daughter Closes

After helping spin off nationwide chain, 'heritage store' is shuttered.

One of the more recognizable brands to come out of Fort Greene has closed its doors.

, now a chain with seven freestanding retail locations and a national licensing deal with Macy's, closed its 'heritage store' on S. Elliott Place and Dekalb Avenue this week.

The chain still has stores open at nearby Atlantic Terminal Mall and its flagship location on 125th Street in Harlem.

Interested in local real estate?Subscribe to Patch's new newsletter to be the first to know about open houses, new listings and more.

Founded in 1993 by Lisa Price and inspired by her mother, Carol, the brand began as a line of butters and bath oils sold at local craft fairs.

In the years since, Carol's Daughter attracted investors like Jada Pinkett and Will Smith, blossoming into a multi-million dollar company profiled on Oprah and the Tyra Banks Show.

Interested in local real estate?Subscribe to Patch's new newsletter to be the first to know about open houses, new listings and more.

The closure marked the departure of a key black-owned and operated business from the traditionally African-American brownstone-lined streets of Fort Greene—a place that has seen an influx of new residents and entrepreneurs over the years.

With the store shuttered and the shelves inside empty, all that remained at 1 S. Elliott Place was a sign from Price addressed to what some might have called a shrinking, yet loyal, local customer base:

"It's hard to say goodbye," it read.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

More from Fort Greene-Clinton Hill