Facing a 250% rent increase, it looked like the curtain was falling on the La Mesa women’s clothing store Act II.
The shop on the corner of La Mesa Boulevard and Nebo Drive had been a fixture in La Mesa Village for 35 years, and owner Deanne Ross said there was no way she could pay the rent increase that she was notified about last year after the building sold.
Ross wasn’t bitter and said the new $5,600 rent was fair market value for the times, but it was heartbreaking to leave a neighborhood and memories that go back decades.
But Act II got a surprise encore.
“I didn’t want Deanne to move out of the Village, because we all are like a big family and we need more retail,” said long-time friend and fellow shop owner Theresa Favro.
Ross and Favro went to the same high school and had opened resale shops near one another in La Mesa Village more than 30 years ago. Favro owns Amethyst Moon, a spiritual gift shop that sells sage, singing bowls, sterling silver jewelry, natural skincare products and other items at 8329 La Mesa Blvd.
About six months ago, Favro opened Home & Soul, which sells clothing, home décor and other items at 8360 La Mesa Blvd.
She’s had second thoughts about the second store, however.
“The way the economy is going, I don’t really need two stores with double the overhead and all the employees,” she said. “I figured I could move into one location.”
Favro knew about Ross’ rent situation because they are both members of the La Mesa Village Association, and she made an offer to her old friend.
“I thought, ‘You know, do I give Deanne the spot and just have one store, or does she move out of the village?’” she said. “I didn’t want her to move out of the Village because we bring each other so many customers. We work together. And nobody in the neighborhoods around, they didn’t want to see Act II leave the Village.”
Favro said she will close Home & Soul and move the scaled-down inventory into Amethyst Moon.
Ross described Favro as kind and generous, and she said the gesture is even more touching because it comes from another female shop owner.
“A woman in small business is kind of rare, so we all kind of help each other,” she said.
Act II opened 42 years ago on Lake Murray Boulevard by Ross’ mother, Dolores Buller, who still comes into the shop at 91.
“I grew up in the store,” Ross said. “I was like 12 when my mom started, so I actually have been coming in the stores ever since. When I graduated from San Diego State (in 1992), I decided I wanted to do this full time.”
Ross is quick to point out that the shop is not a thrift store that takes donations, but a second-hand business that is selective about the inventory it purchases.
“I look through everything and make sure that it’s like a really good quality and in excellent condition, and current fashion,” she said.
She buys from about half the people who approach her with items, and of those she purchases only about 20% or 30% of what they are offering.
Brand names sell for about 25% of their original cost and her inventory includes clothes from Ralph Lauren and handbags from Kate Spade, which Ross said are a particularly hot item now.
If there’s a fault with the store, it could be that it’s a bit cramped and could use more floor space. Customers will find that in mid-January at the new location, which will allow the store to grow from 1,200 square feet to 2,100 square feet.
“The location is spectacular, and Act II will be able to be bigger and better than ever,” Ross said. “It’s just so exciting.”
