A downtown Iowa City women’s clothing boutique is reopening under new ownership this month after 34 years in business.
Textiles will reopen at 105 S. Dubuque St. in the Pedestrian Mall with new owner Miranda Meyer, an Iowa City native who is taking over from founder Ritu Jain.
The boutique opened in 1991 as a fabric store on Linn Street before transitioning to women’s clothing and accessories, carrying brands such as Chalet, Tribal, Saga, Habitat, LIV, Liverpool and XCVI.
“Textiles has always been one of my favorite stores, and I’ve admired Ritu’s dedication to building such a loyal customer base,” Ms. Meyer said. “When the opportunity came to continue her legacy, I knew I wanted to preserve this downtown staple for years to come.”
Ms. Meyer has worked as a freelance photographer and in downtown retail at Iowa Artisans Gallery. She plans to maintain the store’s clothing lines while adding her photography and artwork to the décor, while continuing Textiles’ commitment to natural fibers and environmentally friendly approaches.
“I’m thrilled to see Miranda carry Textiles forward,” Ms. Jain said. “She loves this store and its customers as much as I do, and I’m confident she’ll bring fresh energy while preserving the heart of what makes Textiles special.”
According to a release, the store will hold a grand opening celebration Sept. 21 from 2 to 4 p.m. in collaboration with neighboring business Mosaic Iowa City. Mosaic, recently rebranded from Ten Thousand Villages, now occupies the former Textiles space, while Textiles is moving into Mosaic’s previous storefront.
“I wanted to stay downtown because Textiles belongs here,” Ms. Meyer said. “The energy of the Ped Mall and (Iowa City Downtown District’s) events like Shop Crawls and Gallery Walks creates a vibrant shopping experience that can’t be replicated anywhere else.”
Textiles is working with the Iowa City Downtown District through its Retail Build-Out Grant program, which provides up to $15,000 to help new retail tenants enhance their stores.
