A new year will mean a new location for a Lehigh Valley Mall boutique, which will soon close in and relocate from Whitehall Township.
Jennifer’s Unique Boutique will hold its last day on Dec. 24, owner Jennifer Smith said, after it opened in October 2021. It sells merchandise such as apparel, handmade crafts, decorations and collectibles.
Smith explained the decision was in part due to the mall management’s requests over the years to move to different spaces within the mall. The boutique has had to move four times since opening, and currently operates in the outdoor lifestyle section.
Smith cited poor business activity at that current space as well as losing customers who may not know the store moved. She added that the mall reportedly offered to let her move back inside the main building, but she said it wouldn’t have been feasible.
“It’s costly,” she said. “Every move that we do, you have to pay for permits, the transfer of your utilities, just the expenses there alone … then you’ve got to close to move and they don’t give you any type of guarantee. Like even moving back in the mall — I could have to move in a couple of months if another store wants that space.”
Multiple representatives for the mall, including management and public relations, couldn’t be reached for comment.
The boutique will reopen in mid-January or early February at 16 N. Whiteoak St. in Kutztown.
“I’m excited,” Smith said. “I’m happy to make the move because it’s just … every move, our business diminishes, so I’m happy to start somewhere that I feel will get supported more.”
Other recent closures at the mall include Iron Hill Brewery and Restaurant and Dino Sweets. It also welcomed Drink Fresh by Djurdjura in early October.