Richmond Row boutique closing, cites downtown ‘challenges’

Another downtown London business is blaming problems plaguing the core for its decision to close.

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Frankly Scarlett, a women’s boutique with locations in London and Port Stanley, announced it is shuttering its Richmond Row location in December after six years in business.

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“The daily challenges of homelessness, vandalism and drug addiction plaguing our downtown has made it impossible to provide a safe environment for our staff and customers and the necessity of locking the front door has diminished any chance of retail success,” the owners wrote in a Facebook post Sunday.

“We understand this news may come as a disappointment to many who have enjoyed our products and the engaging shopping experience we strive to provide and we’re sorry this is the end result.”

News of the store’s pending shutdown comes just two months after one of London’s longest-running restaurants announced its closure, citing problems operating in the city’s downtown.

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Budapest restaurant at 338 Dundas St., just east of Waterloo Street, closed at the beginning of August after nearly seven decades of serving up east European food. The owners of the iconic eatery highlighted a changing landscape downtown, from homelessness and empty storefronts to a lack of parking, as some of the factors in the decision to close.

The city’s core was already struggling before the COVID-19 pandemic led to a rise in remote work and an office vacancy rate that now sits at more than 27 per cent.

Homelessness, open drug use and random acts of violence – issues affecting the downtown areas of cities across Canada – have unearthed some from visiting the core.

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Another blow to downtown came last week when the Workplace Safety Insurance Board (WSIB) revealed it was buying the former 3M office at 300 Tartan Dr. to house 500 workers when it opens in 2025.

The WSIB’s roughly 400 workers from its Fullarton Street office in the core will move to Tartan Drive and the workforce will grow there, WSIB said.

Customers at Frankly Scarlett reacted with disappointment and understanding to the store’s closing announcement.

“I am sorry to hear this but totally understand and respect why. I hope that the store in Port continues to do well and grow. It’s good excuse for a drive!,” one person wrote on the store’s Facebook page.

Another wrote: “I understand having to have the door locked and living in fear is no way to live and have a business. I wish u all well.”

All remaining products will be discounted and the last day of business for the Richmond Row boutique will be Dec. 23, the owners said.

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Twitter.com/DaleatLFPress

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