On A Lark Shop in Downtown St. Joseph Closing This Month

ST. JOSEPH - A business owned by the College of Saint Benedict in downtown St. Joseph will be closing its doors at the end of May.

On A Lark is a women's boutique store (also offering unique items) in the Mill Stream Shops and Lofts. Colleen Petters with Collegeville Properties says they opened in 2008 as the first shop in that development. CSB President at the time, Mary Ann Baenninger, wanted the shop to energize the downtown in hopes that it would also benefit the college.

"We've been so happy to have them here, we'll miss having that shop. They really were part of starting a revitalization and I think they truly accomplished what they wanted to do," Petters says.

All of the shop's profits funded scholarships and campus improvements at the College of Saint Benedict.

Michael Hemmesch with CSB communications says the closing wont have a financial impact on the College of Saint Benedict. The store will continue selling some of its items at the campus bookstore in the future.

"Some items will be available in the college bookstore. Which items and when are yet to be determined," Hemmesch says.