Ella Barchie 
One of Montclair’s go-to spots for art, gifts, and fun knick-knacks will be closing at the end of July. Eclectic Chic Boutique, located at 547 Bloomfield Avenue, has been a welcoming part of the Montclair community since its 2017 opening. The owners say that while the physical location is closing, the store and its great vibes will continue to pop up at craft markets and with other small businesses. Read more to learn about Eclectic Chic Boutique and what’s next for the store.
About Eclectic Chic
The Eclectic Chic Boutique was founded by Kristen Zachares in 2018. Kristen spent six years beforehand working as an artist and selling crafts at markets, shows, and festivals. During that time, she found a network of artists who hoped to be makers rather than business people.
Kristen founded The Electric Chic Boutique as a way to market and promote these artists’ craftsmanship. The Electric Chic Boutique has continued to be a supportive place, becoming a community for small artists and businesses. It’s become a popular spot for memorable gifts and handmade items.
Beyond selling its products, The Electric Chic Boutique offers a variety of art classes in its studio facilitated by these community members. The Electric Chic Boutique was made as a welcoming and safe place for customers. It is a member of the Safe Space Alliance, the LGBTQI+ nonprofit organisation that works to create a network of global spaces that are welcoming and supportive of the LGBTQI+ community. The Electric Chic Boutique runs several activities designed to be a safe space for the neurodivergent community, too.
On Thursday, June 18th, the store announced on its Instagram that the Montclair store will be shutting down. In the post, Kristen stated, “I kept pushing myself, trying to be on par with my peers, pivoting as technology and trends changed, but ultimately I burned myself out.” The store will stay open until July 24th.
View this post on Instagram
In the closing announcement, Kristen and co-owner Mia said that the next chapter for ECB is back to its roots as a pop-up shop, appearing at craft shows and working with other small businesses. The Montclair Girl has reached out to the Eclectic Chic team for more information and will update this piece when we hear back.
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