Crossroads retailer Black Bamboo closing

After nearly 11 years in the Crossroads Arts District, locally owned retailer Black Bamboo will be shutting its doors.

Tim Butt, owner, creative director and interior designer, said it was just time to make a career change.

“It’s been a great ride and has enriched my life a lot, going to Asia on the buying trips. And Kansas City is just such a great community, all these wonderful people that I met through the business and who have become such great friends,” Butt said.

Black Bamboo is temporarily closed as it prepares for a going out of business sale starting Friday. Its Asian antiques, furniture, home accessories and store fixtures will be discounted up to 70 percent.

Black Bamboo opened in the Crossroads in June 2004 and moved to its current spot at 114 Southwest Blvd. in 2011.

Butt personally selected much of the inventory on buying trips throughout Asia. The shop also offers modern furniture from American Leather, Copeland, Herman Miller and Knoll.

Butt said he wanted to close Black Bamboo on a high note, but he expects it to be harder for independent retailers in the coming years as more consumers change their buying habits.

“It’s definitely going to be a ‘manufacture selling directly to consumer’ environment,” Butt said.

This story was originally published March 3, 2015 at 4:32 PM with the headline "Crossroads retailer Black Bamboo closing."