Colorful Boutique Ynop 3 to Close

Claudette Inc. co-owner Anamyn Turowski announced her Los Angeles–based label would move operations to a bigger warehouse in Burbank, Calif., by the end of the month, but the label’s colorful boutique, Ynop 3, would close on Feb. 25 as she turns off the lights at the old warehouse.

Ynop 3 debuted in September 2004 as a showcase for the label’s brands, Claudette, Ynnub and children’s line Claude. These brands have been sold at top-notch boutiques such as Barneys New York, Lisa Kline and Fred Segal at Santa Monica and Melrose. Turowski was initially bullish on the 600-square-foot boutique since it was located on a patch of Cahuenga Boulevard in Los Angeles across the street from tourist attraction Universal Studios.

Unfortunately, the neighborhood has not blossomed into a retail area yet, according to Turowski. “It still may be a place to drop in for a quick lunch,” she said, noting that the street is home to several restaurants but no boutiques.

In its short tenure, Ynop 3 proved to be a place for the designer to interact with her customers.

“It was a thrill to see [customers] try on clothes at the boutique and feel pretty or funky,” she said.

The company, which Turowski co-owns with her husband, Eddie Allen, will soon settle into its new 4,000-square-foot Burbank warehouse. The move was prompted by the company’s growing operations. Claudette’s wholesale business increased more than 25 percent in 2005 over the previous year, Turowski said. The designer estimated the company earned $2 million in sales in 2005.

The company may open another boutique in the future, but Turowski said the new store would have to be located in a neighborhood better known for retail.

A painting of three ponies was mounted on top of the storefront of Ynop 3 (a reference to the boutique and label name—pony spelled backward). The Western-themed store also was noted for Asian furniture that Turowski picked up at the Rose Bowl Flea Market in Pasadena, Calif. —Andrew Asch