Ricky’s Candy, Cones & Chaos will be closing its doors in November due to a raise in rent after seven years on Springfield Avenue.

“We just can’t afford to stay here,” said Donna Dill, the manager of the store.

Dill said that business has been slow for a while, and at the time of the interview no other patrons were shopping in the store.

Dill mentioned that the economy could be a reason why many stores in the Summit area are closing up shop or moving to different locations.

“The economy’s not that great,” she said. “I see so many vacancy signs, it makes me sad.”

Ricky’s will be closing by the end of next month, although there is not a specific date at this time.

At the last count by Summit Downtown Inc. in August, there were about 20 vacant storefronts, Tony Melchionna said. At that time it was the most he said he’d ever seen in downtown Summit.

The Ricky’s candy, cones and chaos model was heavily dependent on a robust economy where parents splurge on their children and friends. However, as the economy worsened, more people became budget conscious and retailers have to react by providing better value and Rickys did not adjust fast enough.

New management and marketing have been brought in to ensure that future partners and franchisees will be able to sustain a dip in the economy by providing long term financing and stronger financial management and brand management