West Seattle businesses: Knows Perfume shutters storefront

Today was the final day for the Knows Perfume storefront in The Junction, according to spokesperson Ali Brownrigg. She says Knows owner Christen Cottam “has decided to transform her brick-and-mortar business into a more mobile incarnation, complete with private consultations and concierge services, both at a soon-to-be determined office space and at the perfume counters of major department stores .. Christen will continue to offer her popular series of classes, host Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab Full Moon Parties, and has plans to launch an e-commerce site so shoppers can still purchase the indie and boutique fragrances they’ve come to love.” The store at 4536 California SW opened in May 2010.

Jasperblu March 1, 2012 (7:51 pm)

Oh damn. I really wanted knows to rock it in the Junction for years to come. Big hugs and best wishes to Christen. Love you gal & will follow you pretty much anywhere. :)

WestsideMom March 1, 2012 (8:05 pm)

Christen is so cool! I bought some great perfume there and several gifts. Good luck to you! Contact Mind Unwind (in North Admiral– mindunwind.org) and do a Alchemy party there and I will come and bring my friends.

Sonoma March 1, 2012 (8:52 pm)

Another casualty of the crappy economy? I am sorry to read this; it was a lovely store with a great selection. And Christen was truly gracious and helpful.

Que March 1, 2012 (9:22 pm)

So sorry to hear this. Knows Perfume was a great place. I wish Christen the best of luck in her new incarnation of the store!

k March 1, 2012 (9:22 pm)

Love you Christen!!

Meredith March 1, 2012 (9:30 pm)

So sorry to hear about this! Best of luck Christen!

Isha March 1, 2012 (9:45 pm)

Please don’t tell us this is going to be an empty storefront filled with temporary tenants until the landlord finds someone new.

It is truly disheartening to see businesses, who invest time and effort toward improving the neighborhood both visually and with a sincere involvement in the community, leave.

In an economy like ours I know everyone must be struggling, landlords included. But an attempt to keep the smaller, genuine businesses that are true gems to the neighborhood seems necessary.

Thd March 1, 2012 (9:46 pm)

Terrible customer service the three times I went in. Did not KNOW how to run a business.

Melissa March 1, 2012 (10:10 pm)

So sad to hear this! Love this store and Christen is such a delight! I wish her luck in her new endeavors but will sorely miss her bright, charming and unique spot in the Junction.

Brooke March 1, 2012 (10:20 pm)

This saddens me. I loved going into this beautiful shop!!! Please keep us posted as to where she goes.

Kp March 1, 2012 (10:38 pm)

I was planning to go to this store TOMORROW to get a friends birthday present. Damn, damn, damn!

This store will be missed!

Ajax March 1, 2012 (11:28 pm)

No!!! I love Knows. The candles are incredible. Christen is great and I always enjoy talking to her when I go in. I hate when my favorite places go away : (

wondering March 2, 2012 (12:05 am)

I bought a gift certificate there just 2 weeks ago. They had to know they were closing, why would they sell a gift certificate? Not cool :( Time to find a replacement gift I guess.

emcat8 March 2, 2012 (12:15 am)

NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! I was just in there a few weeks ago and had no idea… I am bereft.

mrdarling March 2, 2012 (12:29 am)

i will miss the lovely scents and Christens smiling face!

Westseattleperson March 2, 2012 (4:32 am)

I always wanted to go in but they were closed whenever I had the opportunity. Darn.

Will March 2, 2012 (8:12 am)

Sweet Anthem by the Morgan junction is a wonderful, vegan, non toxic perfume shop. I recommend them.

DW March 2, 2012 (8:14 am)

I’d like to second Isha’s comments above. Hopefully the landlord can move quickly to get a legitimate tenant in the space ASAP. But it would need to be legit — not like the nonsense going on in the former Petco space.

A March 2, 2012 (8:34 am)

DAMN DAMN DAMN. I have a groupon for two classes there. Guess I’ll have to ask Groupon for a refund. :(

Que March 2, 2012 (9:07 am)

A – the article says that she will still be offering her classes, maybe you can go to one of them…

J Waller March 2, 2012 (9:26 am)

I second the terrible customer service comment. Not happy about a small business not making it but when you’re flat out rude to people who walk in your door I guess closing is to be expected. Even my kids notice how horrible that experience was.

kokoras March 2, 2012 (11:32 am)

We wish a wonderful woman with a great idea the best of luck.She is a friend and was a great business for West Seattle

Reeve March 2, 2012 (12:06 pm)

I was just about to do some birthday shopping there! Tell Christen to post her contact info for us to stay in touch.

Jehu March 2, 2012 (1:52 pm)

I’m sorry to see this unique business go. Christen was always so helpful and entertaining every time I went in there. I wish her the best of luck.

Christen March 2, 2012 (2:56 pm)

Thank you for being so kind about this – I have so loved my time here in the Junction. I loved having customers who became friends, and I loved making Knows feel like a cozy place. I’m not gone, I promise! With respect to Groupons for classes, I will definitely still honor them. Watch for my newsletter, facebook page and website on Monday for more details. With respect to the gift certificate, I didn’t make this decision until last Friday. I would not have issued a gift certificate if I’d thought this was a possibility. If you’d like to call the shop number, I am happy to issue a refund. As for having a bad customer service experience, I am so sorry that happened to you. I was only one person, and I definitely made my share of mistakes. I am very sorry you had a bad experience, and wish I would have had the opportunity to make that up to you somehow. Please call or email with any questions, and again, thank you for the kind words. It’s so uplifting to read.

Christen March 2, 2012 (3:04 pm)

Also, if anyone has placed orders that are not in yet, I will call or email when they get here, and we’ll find a convenient place to meet.

Molly March 2, 2012 (3:35 pm)

So sad! I will miss this store more than I can say. Christen is the friendliest, most fun, most helpful of shop owners (and really of human beings, period). It’s a comfort to hear the classes and perfume parties will still go on, at least. Those are a delight and I urge everyone to try them! I imagine her Facebook page might provide more updates and contact info for those who want to know more and stay in touch – http://www.facebook.com/knowsperfume
Wishing the best to a smart and lovely woman!

furryfaces March 2, 2012 (3:45 pm)

Christen is a lovely person and has been a great friend to Furry Faces Foundation, plus other non-profits in our community.

Christen, we will miss stopping in, however, it sounds like you will still be around so let’s chat about possible future events.

Big, loving hugs, The Furry Faces Gang

Keith March 2, 2012 (4:31 pm)

Sad news! Definitely a fan of Christen and her products, the store will be missed.

Meghan March 2, 2012 (5:23 pm)

Gee, a custom perfumery didn’t make it in the West Seattle Junction? What a surprise. I’m surprised it lasted that long. DOA.

Kae March 3, 2012 (10:08 am)

NOOOOO!!!!!! I LOVE that place!!! I intentionally chose to buy there to give them my business. They had fantastic stuff. Sad.

Kae March 3, 2012 (10:09 am)

And, ditto, Christian was so nice and made shopping there even better, which is hard to do since the products were great alone.

Ruth March 6, 2012 (10:43 am)

It would be nice if she’d update her website to reflect this change. It’s hard to trust the claim of going toward e-commerce and continuing her consulting and classes if she can’t be bothered to update the website (or answer emails…). I too have a Bloomspot coupon and don’t expect that I’ll be able to use it.

Christen March 10, 2012 (6:32 pm)

Hi Ruth, My web designer was out of town when this decision was made, and I’ll make sure it’s updated. I’m going to my email right now to look for yours – hoping your address will be easy to find. If not, please do send another. Rest assured, I will get back to you, and your Bloomspot will not only be honored, but you should have some great new perfume lines to choose from. Regards, Christen

SJ March 21, 2012 (10:33 pm)

Dear Christen,

Sorry to see that you have moved out – I drove by the other day to see if my order was in. I sent you an email about a week ago now, wondering when I can collect my order of Blenheim Bouquet! Do let me know. Thanks. SJ

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