Downtown Hinsdale Store Closing; Increased Rent Blamed

HINSDALE, IL – A downtown Hinsdale store is closing soon, with the owner blaming increased rent.

In a recent Instagram video, Sonja Zecevic, owner of Lepa Boutique, 42 S. Washington St., announced the closure. She said she did not have a definitive closing date yet, but that it would be in the next few weeks.

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It opened nine years ago.

"We have a new landlord who has increased our rent by 125 percent, and it's just not something I can work with," she said in the video. "I've tried everything to stay – the negotiations, I've tried it all. It's not getting us anywhere. We are now at the end of an era."

Over the years, Zecevic has posted photos on her shop's Instagram page, where she wears the outfits for sale in the women's clothing store.

But she has not published such pictures since mid-May.

"(The rent issue) is the reason you have not seen new arrivals like you used to. and not seen the posts," Zecevic said

In her video, she spoke about big discounts in the final weeks.

"I want you to know how grateful I am to have these last amazing, incredible nine years with all of you," Zecevic said. "I'm sure there's going to be a Part 2 coming. I have so much to say, I don't know where to start and where to end."

Patch left a message for Zecevic on Thursday. The employee answering the phone said the owner was away for the day.