A designer boutique on Main Street has closed, but this time with a happy ending.
Shunzi, located at 334 Main St. and owned by Shunzi Che, has been sold to Che’s good friend and longtime customer Tammy Tao.
The store sat quiet last week, with brown butcher paper covering the windows and a piece of paper taped to the door saying: “Sorry, we are closed today.”
But those who do a double-take will notice new signs with the words “Belle de Jour,” indicating the beginnings of a new boutique.
Although Che said she considers the Los Altos shop – the third in her fashion chain – one of her babies, her commute from Danville has forced her to sacrifice time with her 12-year-old son.
The store was opened just after her son’s second birthday in October 2008, around the time the stock market crashed. Despite the economic downturn, Che’s sales remained consistent and she grew more and more attached to the location.
“I had 10 very good years,” Che said. “But commuting from where I live has become a nightmare.”
Che said she was “lucky” to find a buyer in Tao almost as soon as she decided to sell the shop.
“(Tao) always had a passion and wanted to own a boutique,” Che said. “I’m happy to leave the store in the hands of someone I trust.”
Letting go of her Los Altos shop will enable Che to pursue aspirations she has had for years, including focusing on her stores in Petaluma and San Rafael and launching an e-commerce site.
“I loved my customers and had a very good location, but I need more time with my son and I need time to focus on my stores,” she said. “I am not looking to expand now.”
Tao did not return a call for comment before the Town Crier’s deadline.
For more information, visit shunzi.net.
