National boutique chain suddenly closes down, leaving local creators out to dry

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) - Today was a major blow to small business owners in southern Colorado and across the country. All 61 Painted Tree Boutiques locations, including the two in Denver and Colorado Springs, suddenly closed down.

"We both thought, this can't be real."

Chris Talbott and his wife LaTonya started Aged With Imperfections five years ago, and they started renting a spot at the Colorado Springs Painted Tree Boutiques when it first opened in 2024, and it became the primary profit line for them.

"80%, which is crazy. So we have online sales, but our online was mainly on the customization side. This was every day," said Talbott.

Talbott was understandably upset when we stopped by to see all his products, now packed into boxes instead of displayed for his customers.

"There are some non-TV-safe words I want to say right now, but I will be kind. To say it is devastating and frustrating isn't an understatement," Talbott told KRDO13.

They aren't the only businesses forced to pack up. Kirsten Busch brought Swayze Avenue to the Painted Tree Boutiques just last fall. Now she, Talbott, and many others will have to find a new way to branch out.

"I was doing really well here. I was making a profit every month, and things were amazing," Busch said. "The community was amazing. So to wake up one day, have it all stripped away was very heartbreaking."

In all of their inboxes, the same email telling shop owners they have until Saturday, the 24th of April, to move all their storefronts and inventory out.

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