New retailers take a chance on downtown

By JENNIFER HUFFMAN
Register Business Writer

Julie Heikell is having a bar tap installed at her downtown business, but she’s not going to serve up alcohol or any other kind of drink.

Heikell recently opened up Denim on Tap, what she calls a “denim bar.”

Heikell, a Napa native, is one of downtown’s newest retailers.

Downtown Napa has seen a number of closures in recent months, including Stave Wine Lounge, clothing store 26 and Napa Luggage Center. Downtown anchor Mervyns is scheduled to close this week, yet new retailers like Heikell are stepping in to fill part of the void.

It’s hard to miss Heikell’s shop on Coombs Street. Next to a parking garage, she painted the outside of her shop black with large white polka dots. 

Inside, visitors will find a dark purple-and-black interior and “bar” with neatly folded pairs of jeans. Brands include Monarchy, William Rast and Paige Premium Denim. Heikell plans to add Juicy Couture and Ed Hardy items as well.

“We felt Napa needed something like this,” said Heikell. Tired of driving out of town to shop, the former hairstylist and her husband decided to go for it, she said.

“We need to get people to come back to downtown Napa instead of going out of town.”

Prices for jeans run $140 to $300. The shop also sells T-shirts and other tops, handbags, belts and jewelry.

More new stores

In addition to Denim on Tap, a resale clothing shop and rug store have both opened within a block of each other on First Street. 

A sign on the wall at Queen Bee says “Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.” The sentiment fits at the gently-used women’s clothing store, which sells everything from accessories to clothing, shoes and jewelry.

“I felt like Napa needed something like this,” said shop owner Dawn Raines. “I love clothes, I love retail and I felt like this sort of business can live and breathe on its own. It doesn’t need much help. It doesn’t need a million dollars in marketing. There’s not any other store in Napa like it.”

Raines said her shop is different than any other because she buys clothing outright, not on consignment. Approximately 40 percent of her inventory is new, she said. 

Locals with a taste for designer names might find deals at Queen Bee.

“We sell really expensive jeans at good prices. We sell 7 For All Mankind jeans for $50, Abercrombie & Fitch jeans for $30, Gap and Banana Republic for $10. “We have high standards; there’s no junk.  Everything’s in good condition.”

Raines said while retail has been lacking downtown, there are still a lot of people in the area, both tourists and locals.

“Walk-in traffic will be huge for me and that’s really the only place to get it.”

Raines said while she didn’t always plan on being her own boss, “It’s so fun to go to work everyday, just because it’s mine.”

In the past four weeks, Hosein Shahin both moved to Napa and opened a new business downtown. The Iranian, who has lived in the U.S. for many years, relocated from Southern California after congestion and traffic began to wear on him.

Shahin opened Shahin Oriental Rug Imports on First Street, next to the Beaded Nomad.

This isn’t Shahin’s first rug store. He’s owned rug stores in both southern California and Wisconsin. 

So why downtown Napa? “You want to be where there is traffic and people can find you,” he said. “It was pure luck in finding such a good spot,” he said. 

The rugs at Shahin’s shop are all handmade from wool or silk, he said. No synthetic materials are used. Eighty percent are Persian-made rugs, with about 20 percent made in India, China, Turkey or Pakistan. Some take three to four years to complete. Prices run from $100 for the smallest pieces up to $35,000 for the largest and oldest rugs. 

Shahin said he understands that some question his timing in opening a new business. “Either you’re very crazy or very smart to open a business at this time in the economy.” But he’s confident, “The economy will get better. I know it will change.” 

Another businessman who’s not afraid to take a chance on a new enterprise is Mike Alimusa. He’s the new landlord of Queen Bee and Denim on Tap. He’s also the owner of the Small World Restaurant next door.

Alimusa said he prefers to lease space to locals.

“I’d rather give the little guy a chance,” Alimusa said. “When I opened my business the landlord gave me a chance to start, so I’ll do the same.”

“The more people that come down downtown, the more business we’re going to have for everybody,” he said.

“We have to help each other to keep us going because if we don’t, that’s it.”

New business is good news to Craig Smith of the Napa Downtown Association.

“Things are in transition in downtown but they always have been,”  Smith said. “One day things look bleak, and the next day, four businesses open up.”

Besides Denim on Tap, Queen Bee and Shahin Oriental Rug Imports, a new restaurant has taken the place of Locos Tex Mex Grill behind the Opera House. The Little Gourmet restaurant currently offers lunch, but plans to add dinner.

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