Five years in brick and mortar retail has shown me what's possible. It helped me identify what I love about it and what I want to change.
In 2019, I knew I wanted to do Retail differently.
It felt important to me to bring you better options and create a special indie brand and people focused shopping experience. I learned so much about the business of retail through my hands on experience building this shop. I feel more ready than ever to break it open and create something new - BETTER!
A better model. Where indie brands are thriving and small businesses are valued in our culture. Where fast fashion, cheaply made products and quick convenience no longer RULE the way we spend our money.
My 2024 lease renewal was an important opportunity for me to check in with myself and assess where I am. It helped me to see that this is the right time to shift gears. I am ready to end this chapter of Tortuga - to say thank you to this version - the beautiful corner store on Harford Road. The nitty gritty of this means we are moving out of the current shop space in late August.
Tortuga is outgrowing the current version of itself.
I realize that may sound frou frou to some, but it is genuinely how I feel. We are shedding our old skin and creating space to grow and evolve. I am ready to imagine new ways for Tortuga to expand and reach great heights. I will be intentional, recalibrate and focus on what to bring with me into Tortuga's next version. Identify exactly what it is that we do so well and do it even better!
I heard that Rome wasn't built in a day. I've also heard that good things take time. There are many more years to write and develop Tortuga's story - one that makes "the corner store" a most beautiful beginning.
I know that change is hard.
This change doesn't feel easy to me, but it does feel right. I invite you to visit before the summer ends and experience this wonderful space. Celebrate what we have built so far and share with me what you love most about Tortuga!
While I focus on dreaming up something bigger and better, please continue to follow along with me and Tortuga as the wonder of what's ahead unfolds.
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