CLIVE, Iowa – Iowa small business owners are rushing to remove their merchandise after Painted Tree Boutiques abruptly announced they are closing all locations nationwide, including the Clive location on University Ave.
Painted Tree Boutiques was designed as a shared retail space where small business owners could rent booths or areas to sell their products. More than 300 vendors rented spaces at the Clive location, stocking handmade goods and other merchandise that customers could purchase at a central checkout area.
Vendors say they received a surprising email Tuesday morning informing them that Painted Tree locations across the country would close immediately…