Women's boutique to close

January 29, 2009|By DAN DEARTH

HAGERSTOWN -- A staple of the downtown Hagerstown business community will close its doors for good in March - a month shy of its 11th anniversary.

Brenda Goodwyn, owner of The Figurehead II, a women's boutique at 2 W. Franklin St., said she decided earlier this month the business would have to submit to the stagnant economy.

Another factor that weighed in the decision to close, Goodwyn said, was the limited selection that designers were offering this year.

"It's like letting go (of) a baby," she said. "It's pretty emotional. The fellowship in the store is overwhelming. It's very difficult to let go."

March 15 is to be the last day, Goodwyn said. Until then, everything in the store will be 40 percent to 70 percent off.

With the closing, Goodwyn said she will have to let go one full-time and four part-time employees.

"They ran the store the way I did," Goodwyn said. "They took pride in it."

Goodwyn said the clothing at Figurehead II, which is the successor of the original Figurehead boutique in Lewes, Del., emphasizes comfort and relaxed fit for customers who typically range in age from 45 to 65.

The boutique's motto is "clothing with an attitude, not an age."

"I've had so many women say I've changed them," Goodwyn said. "(The clothes) made them feel special and unique."

Goodwyn said she will spend her time working on a retirement plan with her husband, John, and mothering their two teenage daughters when the boutique closes.

She said she would like to thank the City of Hagerstown for helping boost her business over the years and The Figurehead II's loyal customers.

"I would like to thank them for their support," Goodwyn said. "It's been great."

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