photo: David Olsen
It takes some chutzpah to open a business in the middle of July, on a Friday the 13th nonetheless. Superstitions be damned, Preen's Erin Bradley and Emilie Marchand opened their boutique in 2007 even as construction closed the Fourth Avenue Underpass.
Over the last two and a half years, the ladies have kept their locale at 272 E. Congress St. alive with stylish vintage offerings, clothing alterations, word-of-mouth advertising and by hosting events and engaging in community fests.
They admit that economic pressures have been a struggle. In mid-January, they hadn't had a sale in four days.
Chalking up the most recent slow sales to the publicity of the south side storefronts on the east end of Congress Street facing construction to outfit restaurant and bar An Congress, Bradley shrugs it off and decides to focus on the move to Fourth Avenue instead.
While sketching the new layout at 210 N. 4th Ave., Bradley describes the space's track lighting, bay windows and concrete floors. It's twice the square footage, and twice the rent, but it will be closer to what was originally envisioned for Preen.
"The front area will have the clothes, accessories and - at some point - refurbished furniture," Bradley said. "The middle part will be the sewing area and dressing rooms. In that same area will be one-of-a-kind reconstructed/deconstructed couture for men and women."
Living pretty much day to day on the shop's sales over the years, Bradley and Marchand weren't prepared to move their business and could use some assistance with their relocation.
"We're not used to asking for help, but now we need it," Bradley says. "We could use some paint and brushes, maybe some furniture."
Preen’s downtown location will be closed by February 18, and the Fourth Avenue shop will open on February 23, “the day Laura Palmer died.”
They will mourn the move, but will toast the new digs with a party on Friday, February 26.
Preen’s hours at 210 N. 4th Ave. will be Tuesday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Ring ‘em at 628-2991 or Facebook Preen Tucson.
