05/03/2024
Rae here, with a heavy but full heart, I am announcing the closure of my brick-and-mortar business, which has been the single hardest decision I have ever had to confront. This decision had been lurking around long before I had to courage to admit it.
I wish I could blame the volatile economy or the insane taxes that we pay to aid in the development of a city or country that don’t have our best interests at heart. I wish I could blame the uncertainty of a demolition that has been looming over our block for the last few years, the financial hardships I’ve found myself in, or the crippling debt I’ve accumulated while trying to maintain this business.
But the truth is, my heart just isn’t in it anymore.
When I first opened Shadowplay in May 2021, there was excitement in the air about new businesses—businesses that survived Covid or better yet, born from it. I was so lucky to have opened when I did; culturally, people were in a place of prioritizing their homes, they prioritized art and artists, makers, designers, chefs, restaurants, mom and pops, and small business owners of every kind.
The “world was opening back up,” and Salt Lake City had an openness about her. It felt like people were hungry for a community; they were hungry for something new and unique, and vintage was, and still is, in high demand. Nothing could have prepared me for the quality of people I would meet and the unparalled experiences and connections I have made just by putting myself out there. I have had the honor of meeting so many people—people eager to connect, new people who had just moved to Salt Lake City, old friends popping in for visits, new friends that have now turned into some of my deepest friendships. I got to cultivate a network of likeminded people who have now grown into a rich community, my community.
I’ve passed hundreds of items into the hands of incredibly creative, unique, and wonderful human beings who have supported me over the last 3 years. Since 2021, I’ve spent every waking moment of my life invested in Shadowplay.
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