Today we’d like to introduce you to Dani Juhala.
Hi Dani, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I moved to Oregon from Vienna, Austria in 1996 . I have worked in the fashion industry for a long time and was tired of fast fashion and mass produced accessories. I wanted to find items that not only tell a story and are curated but also have a give-back as well. I love a modern, Scandinavian aesthetic and wanted to bring a new fashion boutique concept to Oregon.
After having owned a small boutique in Lake Oswego with my girlfriend for a few years I ventured out on my own and opened STUDIO GREY STORE in the height of the pandemic. My first location was a tiny little studio that I built myself on my property in West Linn but I always knew that I wanted a brick and mortar in Oregon City. In 2022 I found my cute little spot down a European looking Alley right on Main Street.
I curate fashion and accessories from all over the world, travel to new places to find items you do not find in other local boutiques. I bring back goods with stories. Most items are handmade, sustainable, ethically sourced and produced – many with an incredible give-back charitable focus.
But it is also deeply important to me to support local makers – many female owned- to showcase the talent that is all around us! Main Street Oregon City is SUCH an amazing home for my STUDIOGREY – a large percentage of all businesses in Downtown Oregon City are female owned and everybody is so supportive of each other having learned that if one of us does well and supports their community, we all win!
We love taking our studio on the road as well – we have multiple events every month, many Sip+Shops at local vineyards, Golf Clubs or in support of charitable organizations. Our customers are very loyal and have become friends over the years.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Since our cute little store is a little hidden in an Alley we have customers in daily that tell us they never knew we were here and so we constantly try to find new and fun ways to promote our little store. There are always challenges – increased cost to procure, tarriffs, people more careful with their spending – but we are optimistic that the quality and causes attached to our products are so unique and special – we fully believe that whether you need a new outfit, a great gift or just a little pick-me-up you will find amazing goods at STUDIOGREY and we know our customers appreciate that.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My boutique StudioGrey Store offers modern curated Fashion and accessories many with give/backs and all with unique maker stories. I had worked and lived all over the world. I had been in the fashion industry in different positions – as a Public Relations Specialist for a German handbag company, a Wholesale agent for a smaller accessory brand a buyer for a Fashion Brand as well as a Visual Merchandizer. I believe that all these positions helped me hone in to what MY studio needs from me to bring unique and curated items to my customers.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
Signing a lease in 2022 when we were still not sure if the pandemic was truly in the past was my major risk taking move. As stated I have a Main Street address but I am down a cute European looking Alley and so not knowing if my customers will find me was definitely on my mind but I always believed that my store was so unique that my people would find and love it!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.studiogreystore.com
- Instagram: @studiogreystore
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/STUDIOGREYSTORE/
