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West Hollywood mom-and-pop shuts up shop after 20-year run
West Hollywood clothing boutique Brick & Mortar will close permanently by the end of November, ending a 20-year run. Its closure adds to concerns about the pressure on local small businesses and the growing number of vacant shops in the city.
Opened in 2006 by Evan Hughes, the shop sold men’s fashion, distinctive jewellery and home accessories, including shirts designed by Hughes’s partner, Steve Foggs. It is offering 50% off items both in-store and online as it winds down sales. An October study put West Hollywood’s retail vacancy rate at 9.2%; nearby businesses have cited rising rents and living costs, while several established hospitality and nightlife venues have also closed.
In short
- Brick & Mortar is closing after 20 years in West Hollywood.
- Its final sale offers 50% off in-store and online.
- The city’s retail vacancy rate is 9.2%.
Explained simply
Brick & Mortar is an independent clothing and accessories shop in West Hollywood, a city in Los Angeles County. Evan Hughes opened it in 2006; the shop sold men’s fashion, jewellery and home goods, including shirts designed by Hughes’s partner, Steve Foggs.
Small shops can be affected by the costs of running a business, including rent and other living and operating expenses. A recent study put West Hollywood’s retail vacancy rate at 9.2%, while other local businesses and long-running venues have also closed, raising questions about the pressures facing the city’s independent shops.