You & Me to close in January, as owner embarks on new journey

You & Me, a popular Lewiston boutique at 467 Center St., will close its doors on Jan. 20.

In a Facebook post Wednesday, owner Laura Mann Falsetti noted she is ready to begin a new chapter in her life. She stated, in part:

•“Bittersweet can’t even begin to explain what I am about to say. After 7.5 years I have decided to say goodbye to You & Me.”

•“A lot has changed over the last 4 years – the world and myself. The biggest and best change being my role as Mom. A role that I have come to love so much and want to be able to give all of my time and energy to.”

•“I want to THANK YOU ALL. Thank you for your unwavering love and support over the years. Even if you just popped in to say Hi and check up on me or my kids. You all have been so incredible to me and I will never forget my time with you.”

Falsetti noted almost everything in her store is “40% off at the moment, with deeper discounts leading up to closing day.” The sale prices do not include Buffalo or clearance items.

In addition to being known for her unique in-store items, Falsetti was instrumental in starting and organizing Lewiston’s shoulder-season shopping events – including "Trick or Treat on Center Street," “Holiday Shopping Kickoff – Lewiston Style” and “Sip. Shop. Eat!”

Laura Mann Falsetti, working inside You & Me boutique, at a past “Sip. Shop. Eat!” She is shown flanked by Katie Reynolds and Vanessa Ujeski. (File photo)

Laura Mann Falsetti is shown here with fellow Lewiston merchants Donna Garfinkel of Sgt. Peppers Hot Sauces, Etc., and artist Kathy Pignatora of Inspirations on Canvas. (File photo)

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Inspirations on Canvas owner/artist Kathy Pignatora co-organized those events. She said, “Laura was the first person I met when I was looking to find a storefront in Lewiston. It was because of her encouragement, during a random conversation in her store, that I took the final leap to sign a lease – thereby starting my incredible journey as a retail owner on Center Street. Since then, we have become like sisters. We’ve been through so much together, from the challenging COVID times as business owners, to the birth of her two children, to the passing of some of our family members, and so much more.

“Together, we have created and grown three amazing events in Lewiston that we are very proud of: ‘Holiday Kickoff,’ ‘Sip. Shop. Eat!’ and, of course, the now beloved ‘Trick or Treat on Center Street,’ with the help of some other great business owners.

“Laura and I text each other daily – encouraging each other through the highs and lows of being a store owner. I will miss her encouragement, her creativity, and her beautiful store. I am grateful, though, that I still – and will always – have her as a friend for life. I wish her only the best, and she’s made a great decision for herself and her family.”

•Joshua Maloni contributed to this report.