Longtime Hillcrest retailer Cathedral to close

ENLARGE

SAN DIEGO — After 18 years as one of Hillcrest’s most iconic retailers, owner Amy Capano will close Cathedral, a candle and gift store on University Avenue between Fourth and Fifth Avenues.

Capano opened the doors to Cathedral – which was her dream boutique – 18 years ago. At just 26 years old, she set the standard for boutique
stores in Hillcrest that started to open in the mid 1990s. Since then she’s responded to her customer’s needs along with the changing demands of retail season by season.

Those who have walked into Capano’s shop know its aromatic appeal and whimsical earthy décor has customers swooning from soy candle to antic fixture to hand made card to locally designed jewelry.

Capano named her shop, Cathedral, after her personal fondness for gothic churches, and she felt the peace in cathedrals she had visited and likened them to the warmth and glow of candle light.

After almost 20 years of being known for some of the best candles in San Diego, Capano decided to close her shop’s doors to move on to the next chapter of her life.

“I’m sad to be leaving the Hillcrest neighborhood but after 18 years of experience in retail I am excited to move on to a new phase of my career,” Capano said.

While the neighborhood leaders, groups and residents acknowledges that Capano’s departure is indeed bittersweet, they also celebrate her leadership and commitment to Hillcrest. Over the last four years Capano has served on the Hillcrest Business Association’s (HBA) board of directors, and lead Hillcrest promotions as the HBA’s Marketing Committee chair.

Capano even helped coin the now signature event in the neighborhood “Hillcrest Taste ‘n’ Tinis” and launch the campaign “Fabulous Hillcrest,” which has an app, website and a street guide.

Cathedral has become such a fixture in the neighborhood that it will surely take a while for Capano’s departure to sink in. Nestled just
beneath the Hillcrest Sign and across from signature landmarks like Jimmy Wong’s Golden Dragon, the spirit of Cathedral will live on in the neighborhood for a long time to come.

Before closing in a few weeks, Cathedral is having a sale, including 20%off most candles and decor; 30% off select jewelry and accessories, and 50% off the original price of previously reduced sale items.

Cathedral is located at 435 University Ave. The store’s website is HERE.