Friday marks the last day The President of Me store will occupy the space between The Hardware Store Restaurant and Sporty’s and to celebrate the occasion, owner Rebecca Wittman is hosting the “First Friday Last Hurrah.”
The party will consist of “bubbly, hugs and photographs,” Wittman said, and will mark the business’ last day after nine years of selling clothing first through Common Thread, then from the Fuller Store and finally from her storefront in town. There will be a photo booth and anyone who has bought anything from her store should wear it and prepare to have their photo taken. Photos from the party will become a collage called The United Faces of Vashon that will exist online and at Wittman’s new studio behind the Country Store that will be open by appointment only and for First Friday studio tours twice a year.
Wittman announced earlier this year that she would be closing the store in September in order to spend more time with family and friends, but will continue to sell a scaled-down inventory of the clothing line online. On Friday, those who stop by will get an idea of the items she will continue to sell.
“I’m keeping the line,” Wittman said. “It’s been 12 years of development and I’m not ready to throw it away. I want to take it back to it’s roots — it stared as a philosophical forum and the clothes were just a wearable delivery system and will continue to be.”
The clothing line preaches personal responsibility and Wittman said that she will miss the conversations the clothing sparked.
“I’m proud of what I built there and the conversations we had constantly in the store about personal responsibility and understanding how much power we abdicate when we don’t stand up and take responsibility for our lives,” she said. “I had those conversations with people ages 8 to 90, and I really will miss the conversation. I’m glad it’s been a meaningful part of the retail tableau.”
Wittman has accepted a position as the Communications and Outreach Coordinator for Seattle’s Center for Wooden Boats. The position is a homecoming for her as she taught varnishing classes there and served on the board in the past.
First Friday Last Hurrah
The President of Me’s Rebecca Wittman will host a farewell party at the store (17601 Vashon Hwy) from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday.
Those who purchased items from her store should wear them and prepare to have their picture taken.
