It's hard to say Goodbye...

Valued Customers of Ess Elle Style Studio –

It is with a heavy heart that I write you this letter announcing that Ess Elle will not be reopening in March, as had been my intention. Following a wonderful twenty-six months of developing relationships with good customers and making terrific friends, our store is unable to survive this historically tough economic time. I was hoping for a surge of consumer confidence after President Obama’s inauguration but unfortunately it has not happened yet and we find it too risky to reopen at this time.

We’ve been fighting a difficult economy since the day we opened, about the same time the housing industry began to tank, but the last six months have been particularly horrible. Unfortunately, this economic downturn has claimed another victim on the East Side. Like too many others in our area and around the country, Ess Elle cannot continue and be profitable.
As a specialty retailer, we waged a constant battle for market share with mass retailers, discounters and the Internet. However, it’s been made abundantly clear through numerous emails and positive word of mouth that Ess Elle carved out a niche in Milwaukee with a loyal customer base and a personal brand of service. We encourage you to continue to shop local. It is critically important, now more then ever before.

It has been a real honor to serve the great Milwaukee community and I sincerely hope to resurface down the line, as a clothier focused on quality pieces at affordable prices. Milwaukee may have lost a store voted “Best Women’s Clothing Boutique” by the A-List for the two years we were operational (thanks to all of you), but I hope to see you all again someday … I will miss you all more than you can imagine.

With love and best wishes,

SarahSkinner Owner – Ess Elle Style Studio