Menswear and lifestyle boutique closing in Johnson County after 9 years
A local menswear and lifestyle boutique in Johnson County is closing its doors after nine years.
Ulah, opened by Joey Mendez and Buck Wimberly at 4707 Rainbow Blvd. in Westwood, Kansas, announced in an email Monday, Dec. 29, that due to low foot traffic, they’ve made the decision to close their brick-and-mortar store Saturday, Jan. 31.
“Over the last two years, we’ve fought hard to protect that dream,” Mendez and Wimberly said in a statement. “We launched new ideas, expanded into local collaborations, asked our customers for help, and poured our hearts into every decision.”
They had asked customers for help in the form of a GoFundMe on June 27, where they had hoped to crowdfund $280,000 to help pay to restock the store, cover operating expenses while they restocked and fund marketing campaigns to draw in customers. As of Tuesday, Dec. 30, $35,666 was raised.
An article from The Star in 2017 said the two began conceptualizing the store in 2015 after noticing men were being shortchanged in the retail industry. They used their shared experience in design and branding to create a boutique designed for today’s man. This included blazers, button-up shirts, tapered pants, Henleys and upscale active wear.
While the business founded in 2016 will close its storefront, they said they’re working on a plan to continue offering their fragrance and candle collection online and through other boutiques.
From now through Thursday, Jan. 15, ULAH said it will be working to sell through the rest of the inventory, including markdowns on ULAH-owned apparel and accessories. From Jan. 15 to 31, they will open the store for a storewide fixture, furniture and supplies sale.
The owners did not immediately respond to comment requests from The Star.
“We are deeply grateful for every single person who supported us, especially these last two years,” Mendez and Wimberly said in a statement. “You kept us going. You gave us hope. You gave us community.”
This story was originally published December 30, 2025 at 2:43 PM.
