Discontinued: Shabby Chic Bows Out With a Poem

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Blog Here in Malibu published a nice little obituary this weekend for Shabby Chic, the brand that taught the nation to love all things flea-markety. Run by British transplant Rachel Ashwell, Shabby Chic spent twenty years pushing adorably worn-in furniture and flowered sheet sets before declaring bankruptcy this year. Now, all of Ashwell's stores are closing down, including the one in the Cross Creek shopping center in Malibu, where everything is 30% off.

Meanwhile, Ashwell herself has been eulogizing her brand online. Her personal blog is filled with heartbreaking notes about what it's like to close a company after twenty years. (Apparently it involves listening to a lot of "Everybody Hurts.") And if you go to the company website, you find a poem written by Ashwell herself, bidding her fans goodbye.

Shabby Chic online has had to close its doors,
But Simply Shabby Chic continues in Target stores.
Enjoy the treasures that you have bought over the years,
Hopefully bringing more smiles than tears.
My blog will be my place to talk to you,
And let you know of anything new.
As sad as I am to dim the lights,
I will return when the time is right.
Know that your unwavering support means the world to me
Keep your world as beautiful and comfy as can be.

· Signs of Saturday: So long, Shabby Chic [Here in Malibu]
· Well With Rachel Ashwell [WWD]
· Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic [Official Blog]