We were sad to learn over the weekend that two of our favorite Upper Haight boutiques, Chrissy Bee and Kweejibo, will close in the coming weeks. We’ve been fans of both stores for sometime now.
We realize that retail businesses come and go, especially in a down economy like the one we’re currently experiencing. But we also realize that stores – especially those that support independent designers and artists – are much more than places to just acquire new stuff. Stores like these are the products of creative minds and countless hours of hard work – we wish the owners well and thank them for the unique businesses they brought to our city.
After 16 years making men’s shirts, pants and handwoven scarves, Kweejibo is shutting down operations in January 2009. I happened to be in the store yesterday and asked whether any of the company’s merchandise will be available online – the answer I got was an unequivocal “no.” So if you want anything from this local label, now’s the time. Right now everything in the store is marked down at least 50 percent, and sale items are reduced by another 75 percent.
At Chrissy Bee, everything in the store and gallery is marked down by 50 to 75 percent. The store will remain open until the merch is gone. The fixtures are also for sale.
