by Frank Lee
operations@thenewsleaders.com
On A Lark was a one-time business gamble in St. Joseph by the College of St. Benedict that paid off for several years, but the unique women’s boutique is calling it quits at the end of May.
Part of the Mill Stream Shops & Lofts on the corner of College Avenue N. and Minnesota Street E., On A Lark opened in 2008 but will go out of business on May 31, according to its employees.
“At the time, the president (of St. Ben’s) MaryAnn Baenninger had said, ‘We need to revitalize this downtown because it will have a direct impact on the health of the college,’” said Colleen Hollinger Petters, vice president of Collegeville Cos., which leases the retail space.
Baenninger had pledged the college’s support by opening On A Lark in the Mill Stream Shops & Lofts at the corner of Minnesota Street and College Avenue. On A Lark leases the first-floor retail space of about 1,200 square feet from Collegeville Cos.
According to Hollinger Petters, Baenninger said of On A Lark, “We’re going to have a shop that is attractive to our students and to the general population of shoppers. And the purpose and goal of that is to start the revitalization of the downtown and make this building project strong.”
Two staff members will be affected by the closing of On A Lark. Some student employees will also be affected but will possibly find other student employment on the college campus.
Chef Jason Mueller owns Bello Cucina, an Italian restaurant that opened in 2012 as the anchor restaurant in the Millstream complex.
“I’m in the process of opening a restaurant in Alexandria, so it’s not on my plate at this time,” Mueller said when asked about expanding his St. Joseph eatery to take over On A Lark’s retail space.
“I do have the first right of refusal on that lease when that lease (of On A Lark’s) comes due . . . so we’re not quite sure what we are going to do with that space – if anything – but, yes, we do have the first option on it.”
Owned and operated by the College of St. Benedict in downtown St. Joseph, all of On A Lark’s sales support CSB women through scholarships and campus improvements.
“That was the original goal,” said Michael Hemmesch, executive director of public relations for CSB and St. John’s University located in nearby Collegeville.
“Several items from On A Lark will be available at the CSB Bookstore in Mary Commons. Details about which items and when are yet to be determined.”
Mill Stream Shops & Lofts tenants include Bello Cucina, an Italian restaurant, Bad Habit Brewing Co., Russell Eyecare & Associates, Diagnostic Development and Collegeville Cos. & Brokerage. Urban-style residential loft condominiums occupy the second floor of the development.
“As St. Ben’s strategic plan is guiding the college to look toward its future,” Hemmesch said, “the plan calls for the college to focus on its core mission in terms of educating women, and in order to focus on the resources to achieve that vision, On A Lark will be closing.”
On A Lark’s website boasts this progressive and bold statement of its retail philosophy: “Every little purchase makes a big difference in the lives of strong women!”
“Years later, I would say they have really accomplished what their goal and intent was,” Hollinger Petters said. “With that, I think all in the community have been really happy with their commitment, and it’s an OK time for them to be pulling their products (from the downtown area).”
On A Lark, a women’s gift boutique owned and operated by the College of St. Benedict in the Mill Stream Shops & Lofts in downtown St. Joseph, will be closing. Its profits have funded St. Ben’s women through scholarships and campus improvements.
