Boutiques Marketplace Closes Up Shop, Market briefs

In Houston, Painted Tree Boutiques abruptly shut down its stores last week, including six in the Houston area.

In The Little Rock, Ark., based company, which provided a marketplace for entrepreneurs selling everything from apparel to gifts to home décor, joins a number of retailers who have closed locations this year, including Saks Off 5th, Francesca’s, Jack in the Box, Torchy’s Tacos, Kroger, and Randalls.

Painted Tree Boutiques closed more than 60 locations across the U.S., citing “rising costs, shifting market conditions,” and other challenges. The company got its start as a vintage market in 2015.

Painted Tree Boutiques rented out booths to local vendors who sold products such as jewelry, clothing, home décor, arts and crafts, gifts, and bath and body products. Customers could shop at hundreds of stalls and check out at a central place.

The Houston area stores are located in suburban shopping centers. The shuttered stores include 1153 Kingwood Drive in Kingwood, 5407 Cypress Creek Parkway in Champions, 10957 Westheimer in Westchase, 6729 S. Fry Road in Cinco Ranch, 15555 Southwest Freeway in Sugar Land, and 1003 W. Bay Area Blvd. in Webster.

Painted Tree Boutiques typically range from 30,000 SF to 35,000 SF, as stated by the company. Many of the locations were previously occupied by closed down retailers such as Palais Royal, Stein Mart, and Tuesday Morning.

The closures could put some space on Houston’s retail market, which stands at about 95% occupancy.