Portland’s Popina Swimwear will close brick-and-mortar boutique in July
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — One of Portland’s few swimwear stores will close this summer, allowing the owner to step away from 18 years of running the brick-and-mortar boutique.
On Wednesday, Popina Swimwear announced that July will be its final month in Portland. Owner and designer Lulu Levenson plans to continue sales on the website and through wholesale accounts, alongside her husband Willie who has helped run the business since its inception in 2006.
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Levenson told KOIN 6 the first boutique was located in a 250 square-foot space in the Cully neighborhood. In the almost two decades since, Popina Swimwear has expanded, relocated, and opened a second shop in the Pearl District, before the COVID-19 pandemic caused it to scale back to just one location on 2393 NE Fremont St.
Popina Swimwear owner Lulu Levenson designs bathing suits. (Courtesy Willie Levenson) Popina Swimwear interior on 2393 NE Fremont St. (Courtesy Willie Levenson)
Across all locations, the owner estimates that she’s helped over 100,000 women find swimwear. She anticipates that future Portland-area business owners will be able to do the same for their own customers.
“I feel like that creative entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well and I’m looking forward to seeing the next generations of retailers and creators coming along,” Levenson said.
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Before relocating to the Pacific Northwest, the designer lived in sunny Los Angeles where she obtained her fashion degree and gained experience in the garment industry. So naturally, she remembers her friends and family being — rightfully — suspicious of her decision to open a swim store in an often-rainy city.
However, Levenson told KOIN 6 that winter getaways, spring break vacations and hot summer days have kept demand high.
But attracting customers is just one part of the business. According to the owner, another crucial part has been helping shoppers feel comfortable once they’re in the store.
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“Buying swimwear is really hard for women in general, like we dread it,” Levenson said. “I don’t know if I’ve ever had a customer come in and say, ‘I have to buy a swimsuit. I’m so excited.’ Just seeing this person who was almost dreading going on a trip, and now they’re excited and they love the way they look and feel, that’s been really gratifying.”
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