[Note: This story was updated with a critical response from Patchogue business leaders at 12:50 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 16.]
Fame and Rebel — after a four-year run on Main Street — closed its doors for the last time over the weekend.
Sunday was the final day of operation for the women’s fashion boutique in Patchogue, though owners have said they intend to open other locations in the future.
“Good Morning Babes,” read a post on the business’ Instagram page. “Today will be our last day in Patchogue. Our merch there is selling super quick so we’ve decided today will be the last day.
“Everything is still 50% off, so if you’ve been thinking about something, go grab it! XOXO.”
The Patchogue store sold everything from women’s tops, bottoms, and dresses to accessories and shoes. Fame and Rebel also has a store in Northport, at 162 Main St.
In a post last week addressing the Patchogue shop’s closure, the owners expressed their thanks for the community’s support.
“We have spent 5 wonderful years getting to know all of you and had so much fun styling you!” the post reads. “Unfortunately, we feel Patchogue is not the safest environment for our staff or customers, which is our number one priority. We would like to express our heartfelt thanks everyone who supported us these past 5 years and helped us thrive, through covid and all!
“This isn’t the end for us though! We are looking forward to growing and expanding our brand to other locations. So look out for an F+R near you soon!”
The Greater Patchogue Chamber of Commerce’s executive director, David Kennedy, said that — although Fame and Rebel were never chamber members — no concerns regarding safety were ever brought to the chamber.
“We are very sorry to hear they are leaving Patchogue and we take their reasons for leaving very seriously,” he said. “I wish they had reached out to us and let us know of their concerns before they left — and gave the community and local officials an opportunity to address them before they made the decision to close.”
He expressed disappointed that Fame and Rebel chose to air grievances solely on social media instead, but acknowledged the store’s location is next to a church “that gratefully has made helping the homeless a hallmark.’
“I am sure it may have added a sense to employees there that vagrancy is an issue, but I think we could have worked on some initiatives to address their concerns if given a chance,” he said.
Nonetheless, Kennedy said he and the Patchogue Chamber’s board members have discussed the matter, and are “looking forward to establishing some new concepts to continue to ensure Patchogue is the safe and wonderful downtown we are and will continue to be.”
Top photo: Facebook/Fame and Rebel
