In news that probably says less about fancy underwear sales than it does about the challenges of operating an independent retail store, stylish undergarment provider Red Drawers is going out of business after three years on 14th Ave.
It’s been a rough few months for 14th Ave. Watch retailer Tiempo announced it was going out of business in June while gift and decoration store Whimsy is in the middle of a process to close down its shop at 14th and Pine.
The closure — if you don’t count Castle Superstore, Doghouse Leathers or The Crypt — leaves the Hill with only one specialty underwear provider, UnderU4Men in the Loveless building at 709 Broadway East.
Here are the details from Travis Powell, head of Red and the neighboring Salon Dewi that will apparently continue to operate at the location:
REDdrawers was open three years ago by me, The Waxing Diva – aka – Travis Powell.
I opened it because Seattle needed a store that catered to men, Portland had one and we didn’t yet. Until a year later when UnderU4Men came to Seattle – with all the news about Metrosexuals I thought it would be a great place for men to find undies that would make them feel fun, sexy, but yet they had a little secret that know one knew about unless of course you saw them in the gym or bedroom.
The idea was that male clients come in SalonDEWI (my day spa located in the same building) for “Manscaping” including one of our specialty waxes – the male Brazilian and they can leave with some fun and sexy.
With the down turn of the economy and the summer not being so great I have decided to close. We have tons of swimsuits and underwear that are marked down 50%. Swimsuit and underwear sales were not as projected and left me with no other option but to close. Last day is not set yet, I am not buying anymore merchandise and am liquidating everything.
By the way, we used our degree in journalism to discover this news from an advertisement that showed up today on CHS:
Yes, Red Drawers is — or was — a CHS advertiser.
Maybe if it didn’t just cater to men, it might not have closed. Cap Hill lacks choices in nice underwear, period.
This store called Retail Therapy on Pine off B’way was carrying a few lines of men’s underwear – and women’s too.
The nicest under – is well, don’t want to shock the prissy, but, SKIN.
And, it is free, and – and – and ….
How many undy shops does a neighborhood need…
What about Retail Therapy on Pike near Broadway? They have the latest lines of great men’s underwear. I attended a Ginch show there last December which was outstanding.
I am always sorry to see a small business close in this city. Every dollar spent in a small business or with a local company equates to 80 cents reinvested back into the community. REDdrawers unfortunately is another tragedy of the recession. I wish them well in their next adventure.
Small businesses are very important to Seattle. I would hate to see another business go because locals did not support them. Please take the time out to visit other spots on the hill that also sell mens underwear like Retail Therapy. Retail Therapy is located on the corner on Broadway & Pike and has a HUGE collections of boys undies!
F.Y.I.
1) We would like to thank you for your concern and support. 2) Had you physically ventured into our business you would of noticed that we do have a whole wall of women’s panties on the spa side.
@Mike: I’m glad you enjoyed the Ginch Gonch show at Retail Therapy, I had a blast there too as one of the models. I was really impressed with their selection.
It is sad when we lose a small business on the hill, so lets not forget about the one’s we still have. I have been shopping at Retail Therapy since I moved to the hill two years ago. They have a fabulous selection of mens underwear, not to mention some pretty sexy swim wear. I have brought many out of town guests to shop there,and even my hard to please LA girls have been very pleased with their selection and price.
First off thanks for all the love! We have Carried underwear at Retail Therapy for the last 7 years and prided in having it as a specialty and although we have other products it doesn’t change the fact that community support has made the difference in the stores survival. I think running a small business is hard work in general and it is easy to take for granted the small stores that ultimately give the community character. I am super sad to see Red Drawer go along with other favorites like Bailey Coy. That being said there are still tons of great small and community oriented businesses on the hill and they still need our support. I don’t believe that stores are closing due to lack of quality, quantity or diversity because Red Drawer had a great concept, plenty to choose from and great owners so did Bailey coy and others. It takes a lot of courage both to open a store and choose to say it is time to move on. It really ultimately comes down to people making a conscious choice: do I support a locally owned business that makes my community interesting or do I save $2 and either buy online( which the shipping alone will balance it out) or a chain that will have you looking like everyone else and unlikely to provide the same quality. Our focus as a community should be on how do we support the existing and remaining businesses and how to create a sustainable community so other great stores aren’t placed in a position to make hard choices.
Hey underwear people ….. almost TOO much information. Do you do ads here at the blog site? You should.
And men’s underwear, Pouch size? Big issue …. really, for some of us.
Thanks too all that supported us the last three years. Please support other small businesses, they are vital to keeping the hill interesting and they offer jobs when their are so many unemployed. I have to agree, Retail Therapy has a great selection of men’s underwear and swimwear, as well as other interesting retail items.
“And men’s underwear, Pouch size? Big issue …. really, for some of us.”
hahahahaah yeah right dude.
because ppl like you is the reason our economy is the way it is now, why didn’t you make the same comment about starbucks.
People like you are the reason the economy is the way it is because you don’t understand supply and demand.