Mieka in Cedarhurst to close

As April ends so will a business that has been a part of Central Avenue in Cedarhurst for 28 years. Mieka, a clothing store operated by Atlantic Beach residents Jerry and Mimi Bernstein, is closing.

Though they are shutting the doors on their Cedarhurst store that opened in 1983, the Bernsteins said it is a new beginning for them as they consolidate their business and focus on their Woodbury store that is currently run by their daughter Karen and her husband Ken Richter.

“We’ve enjoyed staying here and we have many loyal customers who have become our friends,” Mimi said.

The name Mieka that originates from a combination of Mimi and Karen’s names specializes in special occasion dresses and sportswear. The Bernstein’s said the dresses would be perfect for a hostess or guest of a party, mother of the bride, as well as wedding, bat and bar mitzvah guests.

Karen, who grew up working at the Cedarhurst store, said she is looking forward to having her parents join her in Woodbury. “My parents have been in the clothing business forever so nobody knows more than they do,” she said.

Her father has been in retail all his life and owned a retail buying office representing fine specialty stores across the country before opening Mieka in Cedarhurst. Mimi and Karen also worked at the buying office before Mieka opened.

The Woodbury store has been in operation for 27 years and a new building was constructed more than a month ago in the same shopping center, Woodbury Common, as the first store.

As the Cedarhurst location gets ready to close, the Bernsteins want customers to know that they are encouraged to come visit them at the Woodbury location, which is on Jericho Turnpike, 30 minutes from Cedarhurst.

“It’s always sad to leave when you’re here so many years,” Mimi said. “We’ve enjoyed the neighborhood and the people but it’s time to put our efforts into the other store.”