Swimwear store moves to Strand development

After doing business for more than 30 years on Main Street in Downtown Huntington Beach, Merrilee’s Swimwear Boutique has moved one block over to the Strand development, 110 Fifth St.

The boutique’s grand reopening will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Free gift certificates ranging in value from $20 to $100 will be given to the store’s first 25 customers that morning.

The store also will hold a raffle drawing for a $500 gift certificate.

Merrilee’s Swimwear was founded in 1977 by local Merrilee Madrigal, and is still under original ownership.

Madrigal started out sewing bathing suits for close friends and family when she was in high school; when word of her hand-sewn bikinis spread, she took one day off per week from high school to make them — provided she kept up her straight As.

The first boutique opened in April 1977 in a building now owned by Jack’s Surf Shop.

Following decades of success and expansion, Madrigal returned to creating her own lines with her daughter Felicia.

For more information, call (714) 960-8433 or visit merrileeswimwear.com.

— Candice Baker