(BFF Boutique owner Terri Foster will be closing her store, located in Capitola Village, at the end of September. Photo by Johanna Miller/Pajaronian)
CAPITOLA — BFF Boutique: Vintage and Repurposed Fashions in Capitola Village will be closing its doors in September.
The shop, located at 115 San Jose Ave. in the Capitola Mercantile, offers “pre-loved” fashions and accessories for men and women.
Owner Terri Foster said she opened the store, originally located at the Bayview Hotel in Aptos Village in 2014, after retiring from her job with the State of California. She wanted to find something to keep her busy — but also that she was passionate about.
“I’ve always loved fashion,” Foster said. “I love helping people find the right outfit; a look that works just for them.”
BFF Boutique’s focus on vintage items in particular is deliberate.
“With vintage you get very unique items made from quality material,” she said. “Most shirts I sell are silk or cotton. It makes a difference.”
Moving from Aptos to Capitola Village in 2015 was a risk, Foster said, but one she was willing to take.
“Capitola is really special,” she said. “I’ve really enjoyed being here.”
This is why the decision to close is somewhat bittersweet, she admitted. With rising real estate costs and wages, Foster said that having a smaller business has been challenging in recent years — and not only for her. Other small businesses in the area have recently been closing.
“I think it would’ve been better if we’d had a bit more support,” Foster said. “We had lots of ideas about how to improve things. But if people don’t want to listen — well, you can make suggestions, but sometimes people are just set in their ways.”
But Foster remains positive, and is grateful for her loyal customers. She wants to maintain a presence online through email and her Facebook page.
“They are why I do this,” she said. “That connection with customers is so important to me.”
Foster has also used BFF Boutique for outreach, collaborating with a number of nonprofit organizations such as CASA and Monarch Services. Recently she has worked with Dr. Ann Lopez of the Center for Farmworker Families, inviting a group of women into the store to choose outfits.
“I will really miss what I do,” Foster said. “But I am ready to kick back for a while, and look ahead to what comes next.”
BFF Boutique will offer discounts through the end of September, with many items marked off by 50 percent. Store credit will be accepted until Sept. 13.
For information, visit BFF Boutique’s Facebook page or call 251-8356.
