Blush Boutique Coventry to close March 31

Blush will close its Coventry shop at the end of March.

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On March 31, after nearly a decade on Coventry Road, Blush Boutique will be closing the doors to its small, intimate Cleveland Heights boutique.

Owner Laurie Klopper, a Cleveland Heights resident, said she is closing to focus on her other location in Chagrin Falls and because sales at her shop on Coventry Road have greatly diminished.

“People just aren’t coming to Coventry to shop and walk around anymore,” said Klopper. Indeed, American Apparel, Winking Lizard, Chipotle, Big Fun and Piccadilly have all left in the past few years. “It’s an alarming trend on what was once a vibrant and eclectic street,” she added.
 
Frequently named Best East-Side Boutique by both Cleveland Magazine and Scene magazine, Blush is known for its colorful and affordable clothing from smaller lines and labels.

Klopper enthusiastically supported local artisans and products at her Coventry Village shop. Most of the jewelry was handcrafted by local artists, as were the candles, Cleveland T-shirts, greeting cards and facial products. “I recognized how important it was for start-up businesses to be seen in a local and thriving boutique,” said Klopper.

Mimi Mays, owner of Maeve’s All Natural Skincare, said, “Laurie was one of the first people to take a chance and carry our products in her store.” Jenny Goe, owner of In the 216 (also located on Coventry Road) echoed the sentiment, noting, “Laurie carried my jewelry long before I had a shop on Coventry. She loved helping her customers and loved owning her shop.”

Klopper said she is disappointed in the lack of support from the local community. “I wish more people realized the value that brick-and-mortar shops bring to the surrounding communities. I’ve been here nearly 10 years and donated thousands of dollars to local schools and organizations. It’s too late for me,” said Klopper, "but I wish people would see that ‘Shop Local’ isn’t just a trite slogan. It’s so important to the local economy.”
 
Klopper also felt a lack of support from the city of Cleveland Heights. “My landlord was good to me. His properties were rented. But there have been buildings empty for years on Coventry,” Klopper explained.” There is a lack of business development and creative programs in the city to help the landlords and merchants resolve this problem and make Coventry a destination to visit.”
 
Blush Boutique Coventry, 1783 Coventry Road, will offer 50-percent off all items until closing at the end of March. After that, Blush can be visited at its Chagrin Falls location (9 N. Franklin St.), which has been open since 2016.