Belle Gray Closes Its Doors
Belle Gray, one of the San Fernando Valley’s leading boutiques, is shuttering its doors on Jan. 14.
Actors Harry Hamlin and Lisa Rinna, the store’s owners, gave the boutique, in upscale Sherman Oaks, Calif., a touch of Hollywood fame during its eight years in business.
The tough economy was one of the challenges chipping away at Belle Gray’s business, said Cat Wellman, who has worked in sales and often managed the shop since its founding in May 2003. “The store did well day-to-day,” she said. “But it was the debt. It got to the point that it wasn’t worth it anymore.”
High rent and losses from three burglaries in December 2010 also proved to be mortal wounds to the business.Insurance covered the first two break-ins, Wellman said. It did not cover $70,000 in losses from the third break-in.
A second Belle Gray boutique, in Calabasas, Calif., closed in 2009.
While the final Belle Gray bricks-and-mortar store is closing, the Belle Gray name will continue on in the fashion business.
This year, TV shopping network QVC Inc. will sell a Belle Gray fashion line. It is a complete collection designed by Rinna that will include jeans, sweaters and tops, Wellman said. Hamlin and Rinna continue to work in the film and TV industry.
Belle Gray is holding a liquidation sale that features discounts for more than 75 percent. The sale ends Jan. 14.—A.A.
