After nearly 13 years in Hampden, Hunting Ground is closing permanently.
Owners of the popular boutique at 3649 Falls Road have set a closing date and are holding one last sale.
“After almost 13 years in the old church in Hampden, Hunting Ground will be closing our doors on July 31st,” owners Jenna Hattenburg and Jess Soulen announced in a message on Instagram.
“Don’t worry, it’s not because you haven’t supported us and made us a success! Just like life, all good things must come to an end and we are very excited to pursue new creative projects. We are so grateful to you all for appreciating us on our DIY retail journey…THANK YOU ALL for allowing us to do this for so long, we love you!”
‘Strong fashion sense’
Hunting Ground opened in 2012 featuring new and vintage apparel, footwear and jewelry, for men and women. Located on the ground floor of the old Hampden Presbyterian Church, next to the public library, it was one of the few independent local retailers that featured vintage clothes for men. It replaced a travel agency that had been in the spot for many years.
In a 2014 article, a Baltimore Fishbowl columnist called the store “a Brooklyn-style boutique, right here in B’more” and said it was “a great addition to the Hampden shopping scene…super on trend for its folk chic customer.”
Since opening in 2012, Hattenburg and Soulen “have demonstrated a strong fashion sense, separating the gold from the dross with an expert eye,” the article said. “Mixed in with the vintage, which the owner defines as ‘over 20 years old,’ are small, preppie-retro brands like MINKPINK, Commune and Courtshop Denim. Prices are about the same as Target (mostly under $100, vintage cheaper than new), at a higher level of quirkiness and quality.”
Reached at the store on Monday, Soulen said the business has been good and she and Hattenburg are grateful for the support they’ve received.
“We’ve been very blessed,” she said. “Business is better than ever.”
But as their message on Instagram states, she said, they have other creative endeavors they’d like to pursue and wanted to close the store while it was doing well.
“We’re taking time off,” she said. “Everyone wants to know what we’re doing…I’m an artist. I’m going to be working on art and I believe Jenna is going to be doing some traveling. But mostly we just want to take a break from retail for a while.”
After 13 years, “we’re just not as inspired as we have been, and so we want to take a break from this instead of letting this maybe go downhill,” she said. “It’s like our hearts aren’t in it as much as they used to be and so we’re going to take a break and recharge creatively. I think a lot of creative people do that.“
In its closing sale, Hunting Ground is currently offering 30 percent off on jewelry, 30 percent off on vintage apparel, and 70 percent off on new items. The store’s furniture, fixtures and displays are also for sale. Hours are Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Monday, from noon to 6 p.m., and Sunday, from noon to 5 p.m.
‘My closet thanks you’
News of the closing has drawn nearly 200 comments on Instagram, many from customers saying how much they’ll miss the store. Additional comments are from owners of other Hampden businesses, such as Wishbone Reserve and Dylan’s Oyster Cellar.
“I started visiting your store when I was an early teen (I’m now 26),” said one commenter. “Growing up with you all, I feel like I had the space to become the person I always wanted to be and continue to be today! Everything was curated so perfectly. I still have clothes from you all from 2014 that I wear all the time.”
“My closet thanks you for some really cool threads,” said a second commenter.“
“My go-to for gifts and treasures for years and years,” said a third. “Some of my most cherished pieces are from y’all…Thank you for all you’ve accomplished for the community.”
Soulen said she and Hattenburg have been gratified by all the comments.
“It’s been really fun, hearing all the positive feedback,” she said. “It’s been very touching.”
“Brooklyn-style boutique right here in B-more.” Clearly that columnist was too young to remember similar shops in that our city has had through the years. Unless they were talking about a certain south Balto hood….