Lavish, the longtime gift, stationery and much more store, is closing its last door in Highland Park at the end of the month. The Maple Grove store has been shuttered already. It’s a straightforward story of small retail economics: owner Kathy Honey says the rent in St. Paul, next to Lund’s on Ford Parkway, has climbed to $13,000 a month. For a local shop selling cards, gifts and other non-essentials, “It’s proving difficult to do,” she says. All remaining merchandise is now 30 to 60 percent off.
Honey isn’t giving up, rather, rethinking her business model. She is forming a new company called A Little Lavish and plans to do gift and accessories trunk shows at senior living centers, as well as occasional sales. She hopes to have a booth at the Minnesota State Fair as well, and promises a few more tricks under her signature hat. “I’m sad for our loyal customers,” she says, “but I feel this is the wave of the future for small, independent retail.”
Until Honey launches her new blog, you can keep up with Lavish on Facebook.
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