Theresa Favro, left, at a garment rack with Act II shop owner Deanne Ross, who is moving her store into a new location now occupied by a shop run by Favro. (Photo by Sandy Huffaker for The San Diego Union-Tribune)Facing a 250% rent increase, it looked like the curtain was falling on the La Mesa women’s clothing store Act II.
The shop on the corner of La Mesa Boulevard and Nebo Drive had been a fixture in La Mesa Village for 35 years, and owner Deanne Ross said there was no way she could pay the rent increase that she was notified about last year after the building sold. Ross wasn’t bitter and said the new $5,600 rent was fair market value for the times, but it was heartbreaking to leave a neighborhood and memories that go back decades.“I didn’t want Deanne to move out of the Village, because we all are like a big family and we need more retail,” said long-time friend and fellow shop owner Theresa Favro. Ross and Favro went to the same high school and had opened resale shops near one another in La Mesa Village more than 30 years ago. Favro owns Amethyst Moon, a spiritual gift shop that sells sage, singing bowls, sterling silver jewelry, natural skincare products and other items at 8329 La Mesa Blvd. About six months ago, Favro opened Home & Soul, which sells clothing, home décor and other items at 8360 La Mesa Blvd.“The way the economy is going, I don’t really need two stores with double the overhead and all the employees,” she said. “I figured I could move into one location.” Favro knew about Ross’ rent situation because they are both members of the La Mesa Village Association, and she made an offer to her old friend. “I thought, ‘You know, do I give Deanne the spot and just have one store, or does she move out of the village?’” she said. “I didn’t want her to move out of the Village because we bring each other so many customers. We work together. And nobody in the neighborhoods around, they didn’t want to see Act II leave the Villag