Novato Business Roundup: Papier and Georgiou Boutiques are Closing

After 10 years on Grant Avenue, stationery and gift shop is closing.

Sept. 7 is the target date that shop owner plans to be out of the 834 Grant Ave. storefront that she’s occupied for the last two years. White is having a 50 percent off sale on all of her remaining inventory of gifts, stationery and cards, as well as furniture and fixtures.

White points to other nearby store closures as having an impact on her sales. “It’s the economy — the downtown is struggling,” said White. “I wish things were different.”

But she remains positive about her next steps. “I just turned 65 and I have a new granddaughter,” said White. “Something will pop up but I want to spend time with my daughter and new granddaughter — make life a little easier.”

Georgiou Closes

Calls to the company for details were not returned but the “for rent” signs plastered on the building windows and an e-mail to sent to customers point to a closure of the  clothing boutique at 869 Grant Ave. by September 1. The company opened its store in Novato in November 2010.

DNBA Responds to Closures

Randy Stemmer, president of the Downtown Novato Business Association, said that although the some of the boutiques on Grant Avenue are closing that the association is trying to keep a postive outlook.

“Boutiques tend to thrive in a different economy,” said Stemmer. Although, Stemmer said that gifts have reported an increase in new business. “Being next to  has helped tremendously,” said Stemmer. He said that Rustic Bakery is another success story. “They are going great guns,” said Stemmer. “They are ahead of their business plans and that’s a definite win.”

He said that the DNBA is actively looking for business and recruiting shops for open downtown spaces.

Jayne Belote Leaving DNBA

Jayne Belote’s contract as the executive director for the Downtown Novato Business Association expires on Sept. 30. Randy Stemmer, president of the organization, said that Belote has decided to pursue other endeavors.

“Jayne has done a stellar job for the DNBA,” said Stemmer in an e-mail. “We were very happy to have the opportunity to work with her.”

He added that the DNBA will be re-evaluating the executive director position “to make sure it is in alignment with our long-term strategic marketing plan going forward.”

Bonjour Fleurette Warehouse Sale

Judi Flowers Studio – Bonjour Fleurette has lost its lease on its warehouse space at 46 Digital Drive #2 in Bel Marin Keys and will be leaving that site by the end of August. They will be having a warehouse sale of their popular slippers and accessory products this weekend to prepare for the move.

Judi Flowers, who has been a hospice volunteer for over 25 years, came up with the concept of designing silk flowers on her unique slippers as a gift for hospice patients. They became so popular that she opened a wholesale business in Novato in 2000. 

Her products took off when they were incorporated in the first two seasons of the HBO television series, “Sex and the City.” The products have also been featured in O Magazine, Vogue and People magazines.

The company will be having a huge warehouse sale Friday through Sunday, Aug. 26-28, with thousands of pairs of footwear and items closed out at up to 90 percent off retail. Hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday. All office furniture and warehouse equipment will also be sold.

“I am sorry to leave our present location, as I live in Marin County and this area has been so good to me,” said Flowers in a press release. “And we will still be operating our website, www.judiflowersfootware.com.”

According to Jerry Seltzer, chief operations officer, the company has looked at three spaces in Novato to relocate the warehouse.

Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Expands

Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical in Bel Marin Keys has recently leased 19,916 square foot of space at 60 Leveroni Court, #200.  John Ditton, vice president of commercial planning, said the company will be occupying the entire second floor of the building with an option on the ground floor space. 

According to Ditton, the start-up biomed currently has roughly 3000 square feet of office space on Digital Drive and is planning to transition to the new space by the end of the year.

In a recent Novato Patch , Ron Gerber, the city’s redevelopment manager until Sept. 2, suggested Ultragenyx could be a major employer in Novato within three years.

New Game Company at Hamilton

Touchfactor, Inc., a newly formed video game company, is coming to one of the hangars at Hamilton Landing. According to Brian Eisberg, senior vice president at Cornish & Carey Commercial, the company will occupy just under 8900 square feet in Hangar 4.

There is not much information available about the company but according to their LinkedIn profile, TouchFactor was founded in Marin in 2010 by a group of game and technology industry veterans, formerly from Factor 5 — a gaming company formed in 1988 in Germany that was responsible for creating the Star Wars: Rogue Squadron franchise of games.

Email your business-related press releases to Tracey Ruiz.