BizBeat: I Love This Look boutique folds

I Love This Look, a women's fashion boutique in downtown Jefferson City, will close its doors March 13.

The shop, located at 122 E. High St., offered women's clothing and accessories and opened in September 2013.

Owner Sonja Thompkins said she decided to close the Jefferson City store to return her retail efforts to the St. Louis area, where she previously owned a successful boutique.

"I just think St. Louis is a better market for what I bring to the table in terms of fashion," Thompkins said. "Jefferson City is a very practical town in terms of fashion and things to do. It's very family-oriented, and I think that's great; I love that aspect of it. But I like things that aren't necessarily practical. I like sequins and dresses and high heels, and people have been telling me there just aren't a lot of opportunities to wear those kinds of things here. I was trying to accommodate that lifestyle, but that wasn't really feeding my passion."

Thompkins will join forces with her mother, who owns a St. Louis boutique called In Stages. While she will remain living in Jefferson City, the distance will be more manageable than when she managed her previous boutique from Tennessee, which prompted her to close it because she could no longer be involved with the hands-on aspects of the business.

I Love This Look's Jefferson City customers can stay connected to Thompkins' fashion advice and inventory online at ilovethislook.com, which will begin accepting orders and online payments by the end of this week. Thompkins also will continue sending updates to the website's email list, which customers can sign up for online.

Thompkins also plans to refocus her entrepreneurial efforts on her growing list of business consulting and motivational speaking engagements.

Know of any business happenings around Jefferson City? Send an email to [email protected], or call 573-761-0259.