Irene Marie Models, a stalwart on the South Beach fashion scene for decades, has shut its doors and may file for bankruptcy protection, a victim of the slowdown in advertising.
The modeling agency, which had downsized during the past year, laid off its last six employees on Friday.
''When you are sitting in the middle of February, which is one of the biggest months of the year, in a seasonable business, and there is not much hope left, I was forced into a very difficult decision,'' said agency founder and owner Irene Marie.
The agency will re-open its doors for limited hours on Thursday and Friday, for models to get their materials, she said.
A bankruptcy filing is being considered, said Joel Tabas, a Miami bankruptcy attorney who represents the agency.
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