CHELSEA — The Family Jewels, a vintage store on West 23rd Street which has been in business for 15 years, will shut its doors at the end of April because its landlords hiked the rent, DNAinfo New York has learned.
It’s the “same old story” of rising storefront rents, according to Maki Obara, who works in the shop. For the next three weeks, vintage clothing like silk slips, 1920s robes and poodle skirts are on sale for up to 40 percent off.
The building owners, the Kwon family of Little Neck, could not be reached for comment.
A declining appetite for vintage among locals was also to blame for the closure, Obara, a designer, said.
"A lot of people have moved out. It really is a general neighborhood change,” said Obara, who lives in Inwood.
Owner Lillyan Peditto began selling vintage clothing more than three decades ago, before she opened the shop at 130 W. 23rd St., Obara said.
“It’s an emotional thing, if you have to lose your business that’s been going on for 35 years," Obara said.
Peditto did not respond to a request for comment.
Sales will continue on Etsy, shop staff said.