Painted Tree Boutiques to close all locations, leaving local vendors scrambling

Hundreds of small business owners face uncertainty after the retailer abruptly shuts down across the country.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 7:36pm

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A high-end studio still life photograph featuring a collection of handmade crafts, artisanal goods, and small business products arranged elegantly on a clean, monochromatic background, conceptually representing the diverse range of merchandise sold by local vendors affected by the Painted Tree Boutiques closure.The abrupt closure of Painted Tree Boutiques has left local vendors scrambling to recover their investments and find new outlets to sell their handmade crafts and artisanal goods.Virginia Beach Today

Painted Tree Boutiques, a marketplace for independent sellers that rented booth space to local makers and small business owners, has announced it will close all 60 of its locations nationwide, including its store in Virginia Beach's Hilltop area. Vendors were notified by email on Tuesday and told to remove their merchandise within days, sparking confusion and concern among those who rely on the retail spaces to sell their goods.

Why it matters

The sudden closure of Painted Tree Boutiques has left hundreds of small business owners in a precarious position, as many had recently invested in inventory and booth setups. Some vendors, including retirees, depended on the income from selling at Painted Tree locations, making the abrupt shutdown especially difficult.

The details

Vendors said they were given just days to collect their belongings from the stores after being notified by email on Tuesday. Kelli Garcia, who sold products at the Hilltop location, said communication from the company had declined in recent months and that she had submitted a letter terminating her vendor agreement the previous week, but never received a response. Some vendors had recently signed leases, done build-outs, and brought in new merchandise, making the closure especially challenging.

  • Painted Tree Boutiques notified vendors by email on Tuesday, April 15, 2026.
  • Vendors have been told they have until April 24, 2026 to remove their merchandise from the stores.

The players

Painted Tree Boutiques

A retailer that operated as a marketplace for independent sellers, renting booth space to local makers and small business owners.

Kristine Kennedy

A vendor who has sold items at the Hilltop location since it opened in May 2022.

Kelli Garcia

A vendor who also sold products at the Hilltop location and submitted a letter terminating her vendor agreement the week before the closure.

Kimberly Mitchell Waters

A vendor who described the impact on retirees and others who depended on the income from selling at Painted Tree locations.

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What they’re saying

“It's really sad, because normally you don't see this kind of activity unless it's a load-in day and everyone is excited.”

— Kristine Kennedy, vendor

“I just think it was shameful and disrespectful to all of us who pay our bills. They get paid first, and we get the remainder.”

— Kelli Garcia, vendor

“Some people, like retirees, this is their extra income. So it's sad.”

— Kimberly Mitchell Waters, vendor

What’s next

Vendors have been told they have until April 24, 2026 to remove their merchandise from the closing Painted Tree Boutique locations. Many are now searching for new places to sell their products.

The takeaway

The abrupt closure of Painted Tree Boutiques has left hundreds of small business owners and local vendors in a precarious position, as they scramble to recover their investments and find new outlets to sell their goods. This highlights the vulnerability of independent sellers who rely on third-party marketplaces, and the need for more stability and transparency in the retail industry.