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Five times too many

Local shop owner is calling it quits after being broken into five times in less than eight months.
18746quesnelKwilla-s
Kwilla's will be closing its doors for good at the end of February.

She tilts her head and smiles softly.

“It’s the nickname my big brother gave me,” she said casting a look at her storefront’s sign.

Black calligraphy script sprawls across the front doors: Kwilla’s.

“Today is the four year anniversary of his death.”

After less than nine months on Reid Street, Kwilla’s is closing its doors – and not because business is bad.

Since its grand opening in June the tiny, high-end-fashion boutique has been broken into five times – three times through the large pane windows, twice through the doors. And yes, she has a security system.

“Basically a grab and dash,” Kwilla’s owner Kyla Pinyon said, shrugging her slim shoulders.

“One break in they made off with 28 hats.”

But it’s not just the merchandise accounting for Pinyon’s loss, it’s the damage to her building, the loss of business for a day, damage to product and, of course, repair costs.

“The door costs about $300,” she said.

“The windows are $600. My one night call cost $1,300.”

Take those losses and times them by five and Pinyon’s out more than $8,500.

But it’s not just about the money, it’s about Pinyon’s dream to own her own shop, in her own hometown.

“It’s always been something I wanted to do,” she said, scanning the bright room filled with designer labels, she carefully selected and purchased.

“I was looking at different areas, but downtown is where I really wanted to be.”

When Pinyon saw the large FOR RENT sign in the high-windowed space she knew it was the perfect location.

“I love doing window displays, so when I saw how large they were I called the number right away.”

From there things moved quickly. Pinyon had money tucked away for her dream job, $20,000 in business courses under belt and real life experience.

“I’ve been in retail since I was 18,” she said.

Renos were completed, merchandise bought and paid for, advertising hammered out and on June 9 Pinyon opened Kwilla’s.

It took two months for the first break in.

“I can remember walking in and seeing merchandise everywhere,” she said.

“Then the last time I thought ‘OK, one more time, just one more time and I’ll close.’”

But Pinyon said waiting for the next hit was too much and after figuring out her losses, she decided to shut it down, effective Feb. 29.

“I like the area, I like this town, I love my store, that’s why it’s so disappointing,” she said.

For now she weighs her options, re-locate (possibly even to Prince George), hold off, try again... it’s up in the air, but one thing is certain: “The dream’s not dead,” she said.

“I’m not much of a quitter.”