Lodi boutique to relocate Downtown

In just a few short weeks Stella Boutique will began the process of relocating from their current location on the 200 block of North Ham Lane to the 100 block of North School Street, the space formerly occupied by School Street Bistro in the heart of Downtown Lodi.

“I’m so grateful to the community for embracing my concept that we started at Stella Boutique and excited to have the opportunity to relocate to Downtown” the owner Kelli Gai said. “I wanted to be engraved in the community and it seemed like the perfect location.”

This fall, the store will be celebrating its fifth anniversary and Gai hopes that the transition will be completed and the new store will be open by then.

“We will remain consistent in lines that we offer currently as well as expand to offer a wider selection of women’s denim, shoes and accessories, mens clothing and home decor,” she said.

Gai opened Stella Boutique four and a half years ago after spending several years as a stay-at-home mom dabbling in interior design.

“It was a life-long dream of mine,” she said. “It seems like a logical time to start a new chapter in my life,” she said.

Now in addition to relocating to Downtown Lodi, Gai also has another location in Capitola that is currently operated by her daughters.

“My daughters are running the Capitola store, so that I can put all my energy into the Lodi community that has been so wonderful to me, and I appreciate it and like being here. I like my customers here. I like spending my time here, and I want to invest my time in Lodi to expand.”

According to Gai, Stella Boutique provides clothing, accessories, jewelry and shoes for three generations of woman, and customers have really seemed to embrace that over the years. The new Downtown store will also feature men’s clothing, because of the positive response the Capitola location has seen.

“I’m really excited to have the space that will allow me to carry the men’s clothing year-round in Lodi,” she said.

As a new fixture in the Downtown area, she hopes to participate in all the events held there as well as have extended hours. She is even thinking about hosting a girls night out and trunk shows. The store will be open seven days a week.

“I’m very excited that Lodi has offered the opportunity to grow my business. I’m very grateful for that,” she said.

BEA AHBECK/NEWS-SENTINEL Kelli Gai, owner of Stella Boutique, pictured at the store’s current location on Ham Lane. The store will move to the space previously occupied by School Street Bistro.