Another business in Victoria’s downtown core has closed its doors for good.
Still Life Boutique was a clothing retailer that opened its doors nearly two decades ago, operating out of a shop on lower Johnson Street (LoJo) for most of their time in business, until recently when they moved to Government Street.
Now, the long-time fixture of downtown Victoria’s fashion scene has closed. The announcement was made via social media by owners Matt and Kim Jensen.
“After 18 unforgettable years in Victoria, Still Life has now closed its doors,” wrote Matt and Kim.
“From the very beginning, this boutique was built around community, conversation, and the joy of discovering well-made things. None of it would have been possible without you—our loyal customers, friends, makers, and team members who shaped Still Life into what it became.”
Matt and Kim added that they are deeply grateful for everything they have experienced in running Still Life, and thank their customers for walking this journey with them.
In their post, they did not say why the business is closing, but many retailers and small eateries have succumbed to financial pressures over the past few years.
For this reason, the Victoria city council brought forth a motion to the recent Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) convention that calls on the BC government to research and implement some kind of rent control for businesses with fewer than 49 employees.
In BC, residential tenants are protected by rent control, which can only rise in line with the rate of inflation, but commercial tenants have no protections from their rent being raised astronomically, pricing them out of a space they may have occupied for years.
