South Main Street is losing a lunchtime eatery and a women's clothing boutique.

Nellie's Ladies Boutique, at 126 S. Main St., has been closed for a few months, and Cafe Main will lock up for the last time on Dec. 24.

Ron Olsen, co-owner of Nellie's, which sold high-end women's clothing and accessories for three years, is disappointed that the store closed.

“It wasn't as profitable as we had hoped, and we had trouble finding staff,” said Olsen.

Olsen owns the building, where his firm, Olsen Craft Engineering, also has its office. He is unsure whether he will rent the unique glass-front space that housed Nellie's or reconfigure his offices in the two-story building.

“I thought it was a great store for downtown and the surrounding area and for that reason, I'm sorry to see it not in Butler anymore,” he said.

But Olsen said the few closings on Main Street does not spell doom for the downtown area. In fact, he said the opposite is true.

“A healthy downtown has between 10 to 20 percent vacancies to give the opportunity for new stores to open,” Olsen said.

He has no plans to move his engineering firm, but wishes the city council would revisit the 7-mill professional privileges tax.

All businesses that provide a service in the city must pay the tax based on the bills they send out — or gross receipts — rather than their profit.

“I'm paying $7,000 for every $1 million in gross receipts,” Olsen said.

Retail shops pay a 1 percent mercantile tax, Olsen said.

Another South Main Street business will close when Cafe on Main locks up for the last time on Dec. 24.

The lunch spot at 235 S. Main was purchased a decade ago by Linda McCarren, who also owns the Butler Beauty School next door. The cafe has been open for a total of 16 years.

“I don't want to do it, but we don't get enough people off the street anymore,” McCarren said.

She said many loyal customers either ate at the restaurant or picked up takeout. Most were attorneys, engineers or employees at the courthouse, banks and other businesses in town.

“I just don't get it,” McCarren said.

She and her husband, Mike, were the owners of McCarren's Clothing Store on Main Street, which closed in 2002 after three generations of McCarren ownership over 77 years.

“I'm a downtown person,” McCarren said. “Maybe I'll start another one sometime in the future, but I just haven't thought of one yet.”

She hopes someone will rent the cafe.

“It's a business decision,” McCarren said. “Everyone will be greatly missed.”

Joyce Robinson and Ashley Kudamic were the cafe's two main employees, cooking up regular dishes and daily specials and serving them to customers for the past five years.

“I loved working here,” said Robinson. “It was a good learning experience and a lovely atmosphere to work in, and I loved every customer who walked through the door.”

Matt McCune, president of Butler Downtown, said the closures do not worry him, as Main Street is thriving and new businesses will likely move into the spots in time.

“But as a lifelong Butler resident, I hate to see any business close,” he said.

He said downtown Butler does not have an overabundance of empty storefronts.

“There are a lot more happening places than there are closed shops,” McCune said.

He said Butler Downtown's recent celebration showed an attitude of positivity among the merchants on Main Street and beyond.

McCune said those considering opening a business downtown might be eligible for the Butler City Revolving Loan Fund, which offers those opening a business or improving existing businesses an interest rate that is 1 percent lower than the current prime rate.

Applicants must be approved by a committee from Butler Downtown, and must own a business that lies between Wayne and Penn streets from north to south, and from McKean to Washington east to west.

When paid back, some of the interest goes back into the fund to replenish it and some goes to Butler Downtown.

Those interested in applying for funds can send an email to info@butlerdowntown.org.