Indie Retailer Opens in Lakewood Mall
Peanut’s Revenge, an independent retailer offering “greaser/punk” fashions, opens April 26 at the Lakewood Center Mall in Lakewood, Calif.
The 2,000-square-foot space was leased by husband and wife owners Tracy Whitman and Jennifer Turner for approximately $2.50 per square foot. It will carry roughly 60 percent women’s clothes and 40 percent men’s. Merchandise will span a range of subculture styles from ’50s rockabilly to ’80s punk, said Turner. Featured brands include Stop Staring, EC Star, Dogpile, Dickies, DaVinci, Sailor Jerry, Lucky 13, Steady Clothing, Lady Marlene and Von Dutch.
“We love clothes,” said Turner, who comes from a fine arts background, “but it’s hard to find what we like without having to drive all over.”
Turner is confident the punk-themed clothes will succeed in the location. “We thought about opening in a funky neighborhood, but I think it’ll do pretty good in the mall. There are always punk kids who hang out at the mall. And there’s a big market for the [greaser/punk] look in Long Beach.”
Peanut’s Revenge already has plans for expansion. “If this does as well as we think it will, we’re hoping within a year to open a second store, possibly in the Westminster Mall,” Turner said.
The store’s name derives from Peanut, the couple’s dog. The 15-pound terrier was once bullied by the family cat but now stands up for itself. —Christian M. Chensvold
