Business Digest: Severna Park Photo closes after 30 years

Tim and Cathy Hickey shut the doors to Severna Park Photo last weekend, citing changes in the world of photography and the state of the economy.

"While we've remained optimistic over the last year or so that things would turn around the fact is they just haven't," Tim wrote in an e-mail to customers announcing the closing. "Cathy and I feel that now is the best time to pursue other opportunities to provide a living for our family and therefore we feel now is the time to close the business."

Barry Monaco opened the shop in 1972 as Monaco's Camera Store. Employees Wayne Gaver and Tom Alban bought it in 1983 when Monaco retired.

They ran it for more than 20 years, and bought the old Annapolis Photo run by Hickey's parents. Tim Hickey started working at the shop 15 years ago, met Cathy there and took over in 2006.

"We've watched young families grow, loved ones pass on and have been there to help you capture all of your life's memories... We both consider ourselves very fortunate to have been able to be a part of your lives," Hickey wrote.

Pool hall gets new life as a rock bar

PAROLE - The latest addition to a growing entertainment district in Parole will include something unique - short dance routines by the employees.

Wild Willy's Rockhouse & Sports Saloon will open Sept. 18, next to the Annapolis Town Center in Parole.

Owner Willy Koutroumpis said he wanted to create a place that incorporates "wild, crazy fun" into every aspect of the customer experience."

Koutroumpis is opening the saloon in the space currently occupied by his earlier venture, the TK Sharky's, a pool hall that will remain open until the changeover.

The 10,000-square-foot space is being renovated to reflect a rock 'n roll theme and will feature weekly live music, special events and sports.

As for those short dance routines, the new wait and bar staff - can we call them wild girls? - are getting lessons on synchronized dance routines to rock classics from the '80s, '90s, ala the movie "Coyote Ugly."

"We were more concerned that they were great bartenders and had a great hospitality experience," said Courtney Smith, a spokesman for the bar. "We really said if you're open to it, we're going to get these classes for you."

The bar will hold a grand opening party on Sept. 18 at 2072 Somerville Road from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Furniture shop to close after 6 years

ANNAPOLIS - Six years after they opened a custom furniture business on Main Street, sisters Teri Kozel and Lori Livingston are calling it quits.

When the partners opened Pine Away two years ago at 216 Main St., they sold custom furniture made by a Florida craftsman and provided interior design service. They trucked the furniture north themselves on several long, round-trip journeys with their husbands.

While Pine Away developed a reliable clientele at first, not many buyers were local, Kozel said. As the economy fell into a prolonged recession, sales began dropping.

"People just aren't spending," Kozel said.

The owners downsized, focusing on the furniture only and renegotiating their $5,600 monthly lease. They eventually sublet most of the space to another business. Weather in the last year, a dreadfully snowy winter followed by an unusually hot summer, didn't help.

Despite the failure of their store, the sisters remain positive.

"It has been an absolutely wonderful experience," Kozel said. "We have loved the people we have met ... We wouldn't trade anything that we have done."

The sisters will now focus on their home-based business, a women's apparel line for NASCAR fans called Flag2Flag.