After more than 12 years, Laura Jean Denim will have new ownership beginning on February 1, 2017.

Storeowner and Newport local, Laura Flynn, founded her company in 2005 with the mission of bringing fashionable, comfortable clothing to Newport.

Flynn shared the news with customers and friends via an e-mail on Thursday morning.

“I am happy to announce that the new owner is Nancy Isherwood. Nancy, a Newport resident, currently owns Isherwood & Company, a women’s apparel and jewelry boutique on Bowen’s Wharf. She previously owned and directed Isherwood Gallery on William St., where some of you may remember she hosted the popular Frederick Cushing and Caterine Millinaire solo shows. Her degree and experience in art and design makes her particularly suited for fashion retail”, Flynn said in the e-mail.

Nancy will maintain the Laura Jean Denim name and brands as well as introducing some lines of her own, according to Flynn.

“My decision was a long and hard one, but I am excited to see how Laura Jean Denim will flourish under Nancy’s love and care. I will be assisting Nancy during and after the transition in order to make this as smooth as possible for our customers,” Flynn went on to say in the e-mail.

Gift certificates, store credits and Denim Dollars will be honored after the transition.

“More details will come following the holiday. Of course, a party is also in order, so please stay tuned for more information!,” Flynn concluded in the e-mail.

Update: Isherwood & Company shared a link to this story on Facebook on Thursday, where they also confirmed that Isherwood would be closing at the end of this week.

Laura Jean Denim can be found at 198 Bellevue Avenue and online at www.laurajeandenim.com.

Ryan Belmore is the Publisher of What'sUpNewp. 
Belmore has been involved with What’sUpNewp since shortly after its launch in 2012, proudly leading it to be named Best Local News Blog in Rhode Island by Rhode Island Monthly readers in 2018, 2019, and 2020 and an honorable mention in the Common Good Awards in 2021.

Born and raised in Rhode Island, Belmore graduated from Coventry High School and the Community College of Rhode Island. In addition to living in Newport for 10 years, he has lived in Portsmouth, Coventry, Providence, Smithfield, Burrillville, and East Greenwich.

Belmore currently serves as Vice President of the Board Of Directors for Fort Adams Trust and on the Board of Directors for Potter League For Animals. He previously served on the Board of Lucy's Hearth and the Arts & Cultural Alliance for Newport County.

Belmore and his wife, Jen, currently live in Alexandria, Virginia, a move they made in 2021. Read more about that here - https://whatsupnewp.com/2021/09/letter-from-the-publisher-some-personal-news/

Belmore visits Newport every couple of weeks to support the 12+ paid contributors What'sUpNewp has on the ground across Rhode Island, a place he called home for 39 years.

Belmore is a member of Local Independent Online News (LION) Publishers, Society of Professional Journalists, and the North American Snowsports Journalists Association.

In 2020, Belmore was named Member of the Year by LION and won the Arts & Cultural Alliance of Newport County's Dominque Award.
Belmore can be contacted at ryan@whatsupnewp.com and 401-662-1653.