Jim Jones never intended to become the owner of Miami’s only alternative fashion store. He’s not really a goth.
But in the past few years, his shop Freak House, located near Downtown Dadeland in Kendall, became the go-to spot for fashion-forward goths looking for platform boots, silver chains, dragon figurines and an array of funky fashion. Now, what many customers claim is the only store of its kind within 200 miles, is set to close on June 26.
Freak House developed loyal customer base. With over 9,000 followers on Instagram, owners Jones and his wife Ana curated a strong social media presence that created a steady stream of familiar shoppers. Jones says he had customers drive down from Orlando, Tampa, and even a teenager who flew in from Buenos Aires to visit the store in person.
But slow sales and high rent forced the couple to close up the shop, they said.
“We feel like we’ve let them down,” Jones said of his loyal customers. “It’s one thing to give up on your own dream. It’s something else entirely different when you let down a community.”…