After more than six heartfelt years in College Park, Yaya + Lou has announced that they’ll be leaving their storefront at the end of the month. Their last day in the current space will be June 30.
The announcement came via Instagram, where owner Chelsea shared the bittersweet news, writing, “So many memories were made here—from watching my daughters grow up in the shop, seeing your kiddos grow alongside them, and forming dear friendships that I’ll cherish forever.”
But this isn’t a goodbye. It’s a pivot.
Yaya + Lou will continue its shop online. Chelsea also shared her dream of finding a new, smaller space—500 sq ft or less—to keep curating vintage and second-hand finds with heart.
Still, the writing is on the wall for Orlando’s indie retail scene: If you love a shop, you have to shop there. Nostalgia doesn’t pay the rent. Social media likes don’t keep the lights on.
Yaya + Lou joins a growing list of small businesses that are adapting or closing due to rising costs and changing foot traffic. And while Chelsea’s story is one of hope and resilience, it’s also a call to action: These shops only survive if we show up.
So if there’s a local business that matters to you—whether it’s a quirky vintage store, a cozy coffee shop, or a beautiful home store—don’t wait. Spend your dollars there. Tell your friends. Help them stay open.
And if you know of a spot that might be a fit for Yaya + Lou’s next chapter? They’re listening.