Local women’s boutique The Latest Scoop has shuttered its Gastown storefront as it prepares for relocation—and the opening of a new flagship just down the street at 305 Water Street.

According to owner Deborah Nichol, the move is due to a pending renovation of the building that housed The Latest Scoop’s original Gastown location at 159 Water Street. The boutique launched at that address in November 2015, and following the company’s pop-up concept, was meant to remain open for only three months.    

Although the store ultimately operated there for over two years, Nichol considered the location a pop-up and will now open a permanent flagship for The Latest Scoop a short walk away in a heritage building that was previously home to the Lumas Gallery. “We love the neighbourhood and the community here,” Nichol tells the Straight by phone. “So we feel very lucky that we were able to find a space so close by.”

The 2,800-square-foot flagship will continue to carry a curated and rotating selection of women’s clothing, accessories, gifts, and small homewares from brands such as Matt & Nat, Brunette the Label, and Rains. Positioned conveniently behind the Gastown Steam Clock, the new store will also offer great exposure for the locally born retailer. “It’s got arguably the most photographed window in the city,” notes Nichol.

The Latest Scoop’s Gastown flagship is expected to open in spring 2018. For now, visitors can browse a pop-up shop at 348 Water Street where the boutique will be selling its wears during the permanent location’s construction.

Nichol also has ambitious expansion plans for Victoria, Kelowna, and other Canadian cities for 2018. 

Founded in 2004 as a self-described “lifestyle concept store” that stocks a blend of local and international labels from as far away as New York, Paris, and Los Angeles, the Latest Scoop operates shops in West Vancouver, South Granville, and Kitsilano.