HALLOWELL — A pub open barely one year will close today, unable to compete in the city’s nightlife scene, its owner said.

But he already has big plans for what will take its place.

Club 223’s owner, Roger Pomerleau, said he and his son, Ryan, underestimated the challenge of starting a new bar on the outskirts of the downtown area in a city known locally for its entertainment district.

“I thought I could skim a little bit from the others with my advertising,” Pomerleau said. “It was getting very expensive. We couldn’t subsidize it past a year.”

News of the closing broke on Facebook earlier this week.

Pomerleau said the building won’t remain empty. He and Ryan said they expect to open a “global country store” in the building at 223 Water St. this fall.

“If Marco Polo had a shop, this would be it,” Pomerleau said.

He expects to import textiles and craft items from around the world, as well sell dry grocery items, imported soft drinks and coffee, with sofas and a Nintendo Wii to entertain guests. Internet sales are also part of the concept, he said.

“We’re going to encourage people to come in and sit down a while,” Pomerleau said. “Big aspirations, again.”

Michael Shepherd — 621-5662

mshepherd@mainetoday.com