Ayesha Curry's Sweet July store in Oakland to close

Four years after Ayesha Curry opened her flagship lifestyle retail store in Oakland, Sweet July announced it will close its doors next week for safety reasons.

The retailer shared the news on social media on Saturday, with a message saying, "Thank You Oakland."

What we know:

In the post, Sweet July explained, "In order to prioritize the safety of our patrons and staff, we have made the difficult decision to close our Sweet July cafe and store."

The backstory:

The boutique and café, located in the heart of the city’s Uptown neighborhood, opened in 2021. It features self-care products and home goods, promoting itself as a business that has a "focus on impeccable quality at an affordable price." 

SEE ALSO: Oakland's Waterfront Hotel closing Friday after 35 years in Jack London Square

Sweet July has also sought to highlight and offer specialty items from black-owned brands.

What we don't know:

The business did not detail what specific safety threats it faced, but it had been a victim of crime at least once. 

In October 2022, burglars broke into the store, prompting it to close for a day.

Its plans to shutter comes as many businesses have left Oakland in recent years amid crime concerns.

There’s no word on whether Sweet July will be opening another store at a new location. But the retailer did say it was getting ready to announce new ventures that were in the works. 

On its website, Sweet July declared Oakland as its home and said the site served as "a love letter from our founder, Ayesha Curry, to the town that has embraced and supported her."

Its last day in Oakland was set for Sunday, Feb. 9th. The closure isn't expected to affect the business's online presence. 

What they're saying:

"We have loved being a part of Oakland and are grateful for the community that has opened their arms and embraced us," Sweet July said, adding, "It has been an honor to serve you." 

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