Photography by Kevin A. Roberts
Bonboni Mercantile Co., the lifestyle and home goods boutique in the historic Shaw neighborhood, is closing its turquoise storefront on Saturday, February 25. Until then, the shop will remain open to customers, on Saturdays only, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Thorp says she's turning her attention to residential and commercial interior design.
“As many of you know, I started Bonboni with a passion for creating beautiful spaces, and after five years of running the shop, I have realized that my true calling lies in interior design,” she writes in an email to customers.
Merchandise will be deeply discounted until it’s all sold, beginning with 30 percent off this weekend. Vintage items are not included. They’ll be moved to the shop’s antique booth at The Hill Antique Market.
Courtesy of Bonboni
Lauren Thorp
The retail store, as well as Bonboni Room & Board, Thorp’s first hospitality rental venture, have been featured in local design magazines. In 2018, Architectural Digest named it "The Most Beautiful Independent Store in Missouri." Thorp says she wants to continue to host occasional events at the store, including pop-ups, craft classes, and the popular Tiny Art Show.
“The past five years have been an absolutely incredible journey full of the highest highs, and some pretty tough lows, and I am forever thankful to each and every one of you,” says Thorp. “I opened this shop when my kids were babies, and Bonboni has been like a third child to me, nurturing it and guiding it to what it is today.”
