SLO women’s boutique was up for sale. Now it’s going out of business
A downtown San Luis Obispo clothing store that catered to middle-aged and older women is closing — and it’s offering deals with items up to 50% off.
2 Blondes Boutique, located at 1115 Broad St. next to Big Sky Cafe, announced in July that it was up for sale, shop co-owner Camilla Hanen said.
Two potential buyers went deep into negotiations, but ultimately backed away, Hanen said.
“I think they were very interested, but the amount of work involved with running a business like this ultimately was the sticking point,” said Hanen, who co-owns the business with partner Linda Morgridge. “You have to work extremely, extremely hard.”
Hanen said that 2 Blondes Boutique is profitable, adding that she developed close relationships with a number of local residents, who regularly came in to browse, shop and talk.
“My favorite part of running a business is talking to customers and finding out what’s going on in their lives, and helping to make them look as beautiful as they are,” Hanen said. “The bills and the financial part isn’t as much fun. But I’m not retiring. This has been so, so stimulating.”
The lease, currently less than $5,000 per month, Hanen said, is expiring in March.
In addition, Hanen and her husband are planning to move out of San Luis Obispo County because his work in the county is ending, she said, and he’ll need to find a new job.
“With much sadness, after five years, we’ll be closing,” Hanen said. “We don’t know exactly when, but it will likely be sometime in February, maybe January.”
Closing SLO clothing store offers deals
According to Hanen, 2 Blondes Boutique officially announced it was going out of business on Dec. 6. The store is offering deals with clothing 20% and 50% off.
Typically, prices on items such as blouses, jewelry, sweaters, jeans and boots range from about $100 to $350.
Hanen, who co-owns the business with partner Linda Morgridge, said the store caters to women ages 40 to 80, Hanen said.
“It’s really hard to get dressed after 55 when you live in this town,” Hanen told The Tribune in July. “We have women who work here who are the same age. They understand women’s bodies. ...They want clothes that are relevant and current, but (are) not trying to dress like their granddaughters.”
Hanen said such customers value the retail shopping experience.
“People still want to touch, feel and get a sense of what they’ll look like, and we’re here to give them a great experience,” she said.
This story was originally published December 13, 2019 at 12:04 PM.
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