Popular Short North clothing boutique Milk Bar will be closing up their doors at 765 North High Street at the end of the year, shutting down after a seven year run. Owners Kareem Jackson and Eric Hayes had the business listed for sale, but instead decided to take it off the market and close it down.
Milk Bar originally launched at 1203 North High Street in late 2007, and relocated to its current storefront in 2010. Co-owner Jackson says that much has changed in the Short North during that period of time.
“I would say it has changed for the better — more and more stores are moving into the landscape, but no one sees each other as competition,” he explains. “The stores have always worked together which has made this a great neighborhood to own a fashion boutique, so I hope that continues in the future.”
Jackson is also well known as a fixture in the local nightlife scene, having launched popular long-running dance parties including Get Right and OGEE. He sees the move away from the retail world as a lifestyle change that comes with age.
“I opened the store when I was 24, and I am 31 now,” he says. “My interests have changed dramatically, and closing gives us time to work on our new passions.”
Jackson recently made the career switch to real estate, and Hayes launched a healthy food delivery startup earlier this year called Fit Food.
A final Milk Bar customer appreciation party is being planned for friends, clients and supporters. For more details, stayed tuned via the store’s Facebook page.