The elegant House of K, which sells European clothes for women, is closing its doors.
Located at 97 Main St. downtown, at the corner of Jackson, it has been in business for six years.
It sells dresses, pants, blouses, handbags, costume jewelry and more, in a distinctively upscale venue with black awnings over the windows of the historic building, hardwood flooring and modern, sleek decor inside.
Owner Kamilla Kabel says she's ready to pursue new opportunities and wanted to "stop while (she's) still ahead."
She's been mulling over the possibility since last winter. Then her sales associate got a full-time job, her niece moved here from Denmark and the timing seemed right.
Spending time with her children and family is what she plans to do for the immediate future. She is on the committee for the YWCA's fall fashion show and will be working on that, although unlike previous years, she won't be providing clothes for the show.
"I'm ready for something new," Kabel said. "I wanted to do this as long as I was having a good time. The customers and the friendships have been the best things I've gotten out of it. And I've enjoyed buying and selling clothes.
"I moved here from Denmark and only knew the people my husband knew," Kabel said. "I've gotten to know so many people on my own that I feel like this is my town."
The merchandise is marked down and there will be a farewell party and close-out sale at the store this Saturday, June 12, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Gift cards and store credits that are still valid -- not expired -- will be honored.
In previous surveys, Batavians have said they would like to see more clothing stores for women downtown. The departure of House of K, makes the void all the worse.
"The House of K has always been a supporter of downtown and it's been a vital business," said Don Burkel, director of downtown's Business Improvement District. "Because she sells women's clothes, that's been an attraction to downtown.
"This will be a loss. I am one of the people who helped bring her downtown, so I'm deeply saddened. Hopefully, somebody will be interested in that (property) as a retail space."
The building is owner by Ken Mistler.
