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The Fan polar bear will remain though storefront is closing

Posted at 11:26 AM, Aug 07, 2018
and last updated 2018-08-07 11:26:09-04

RICHMOND, Va. — The search is on for a new tenant for a prime Fan retail space – and whoever moves in will just have to get used to the bear.

Lunar Hippie, which sells clothing, accessories and décor from its storefront at 2528 W. Main St., is preparing to close up shop.

Owner Barbara Pasnak said she’s shutting down because she and her husband, Kevin Offutt, are preparing to move and have kids. The shop is set to close at the end of August.

“I’m selling everything I own to move to the Gulf Coast of Florida because my level of crazy is unmatched,” Pasnak said, laughing.

Launched by Pasnak in 2011 under the name Terra Gypsy, Lunar Hippie is known for the large polar bear sculpture posted outside its front door near West Main and North Robinson streets. The bear will not be making the move to the Sunshine State.

“The polar bear is staying; it comes with the building,” Pasnak said.

Lunar Hippie came into possession of the bear, which does not have a name, on Christmas Eve 2014, when its original owner down the street was preparing to get rid of it.

“(The bear was) kind of across the street and down a few houses. I believe it was originally an HVAC firm or something that had it put in a long, long time ago,” Offutt said. “And they were annoyed because people were drinking, partying and playing on the polar bear and it was their front yard.”

Continue reading on RichmondBizSense.com.

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