The beloved San Francisco boutique, Jenny Lemons, located in the Mission district, will be closing its doors by the end of November. The owner, Jennie Lennick, attributed the decision to a decrease in walk-in customers and recent issues surrounding the neighborhood, as reported by SFGate.
Well-known for unique items like hot dog-themed hair clips and colorful, patterned T-shirts, Jenny Lemons has experienced a decline in in-store sales since COVID-19 onset. After a shooting incident close to her store in June, Lennick observed a noticeable drop in passerby. "Post-shooting, fewer people are dropping in, but I would not categorize the neighborhood as unsafe, as the shooting was targeted," she explained.
In addition to the neighborhood's diminishing vibrancy, Lennick suggests that customers may prefer online shopping instead of in-person. She noticed an influx of online orders from locals, as close as two blocks away, following the shooting. These buying habits, she believes, reflect the changes post-pandemic. “The neighborhood factor and our evolved buying habits have contributed,” Lennick said, as reported by SFGate.
Even though the physical store is shutting down, Lennick intends to continue selling products online and in over 300 retail shops worldwide. She also secured a booth at the Ferry Building's Fog City Flea. However, a recent Facebook post confirmed temporary closure due to staffing issues and announced a 20% discount for online shoppers today.
Lennick will preserve her business's physical presence in San Francisco by participating in Fog City Flea at a reduced cost. This move is sensible, considering her monthly rent was roughly $3,500, with operational expenses up to $14,000, contributing to the shop's struggle to make a profit over recent months.
As Jenny Lemons closes, Lennick looks forward to focusing more on her art and taking a much-needed break, – something she didn't have time for since opening back in 2017. Jenny Lemons was born out of Lennick's loss of her art studio in the Mission district. “The shop was conceived to provide me a space to foster my art, and to offer other artists the chance to showcase their work, sell their products, and teach classes,” she said.
Sadly, in the upcoming weeks, Lennick will be closing down her shop, selling the fixtures and furnishings, and spending quality time with her community. Lennick reflects on the evolving local retail scenery, saying, "Our communities are evolving, but I'm truly grateful for the overwhelming support to adapt my business in a way that does not rely primarily on in-person sales."
