PORT TOWNSEND — A local restaurateur is branching out into the world of fashion, operating a mobile boutique on the day that her popular family restaurant is closed.
Rosie Itti, who is normally found at Khu Larb Thai, is operating Closet Space from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. every Tuesday in the parking lot of Phoenix Rising, 639 Water St.
It is not much of a stretch for Itti, 24, who has a degree in fashion and worked at Bloomingdale’s in New York City for a year before returning to Port Townsend in with the idea of starting the business.
The store operates out of a large Chevrolet van and is part of the “mobile boutique” trend that Itti said is becoming popular throughout the country.
“It’s really hard for a small business to make a profit these days,” she said.
“Operating out of the van helps to keep costs down, I pay a car payment instead of rent, and I have something to show for it.”
Itti said the idea evolved from food trucks, something that is now very popular but met with initial skepticism when they were first introduced.
While the idea is gaining momentum in other areas of the country, there are only three carts in the state, Itti said.
This will change, she said, and she has formed a Pacific Northwest chapter of the West Coast Mobile Retail Association to encourage more participants.
“I hope we can work collectively and help each other out,” she said.
Itti said Closet Space features contemporary, affordable and unique clothes.
The inventory is stored in the panel truck, and Itti plans to put up an adjacent screen so people can try things on.
Itti plans to add other regular locations in the future and will continue to operate her website, which preceded the business at www.shopclosetspace.com.
Aside from the new clothes sold, the website functions as an online consignment gallery.
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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
