The Laughing Bear property on Circuit avenue, which has hosted the Oak Bluffs women’s clothing store for about 40 years, is changing hands.

Erin Tiernan, the co-owner of the Oak Bluffs clothing stores Eastaway and Basics Clothing Company, purchased the Oak Bluffs maintstay for $1.36 million on November 20. She plans to open her own women’s clothing store in May.

“The store is going to be called Oso, which is bear in Spanish, as an homage to the Laughing Bear,” Ms. Tiernan said. “My plan is to honor what she created and put my own spin on it.”

Erin Tiernan plans to open a new store at the Laughing Bear property next year.

Mark Alan Lovewell

Erin Tiernan plans to open a new store at the Laughing Bear property next year.

Mark Alan Lovewell

Annie Schwenk, the owner of Laughing Bear, decided to sell the store in order to retire. The store began in Woodstock, N.Y. and originally sold baby clothes made with batik, a dying technique. The store expanded to sell women’s clothing, which later became the focus.

“I am shocked at how much people loved this store and depending upon it for weddings, for regular wear, for jewelry. I am just so appreciative,” she said.

Ms. Schwenk said that closing is bittersweet, but she is glad to see Ms. Tiernan take over the space.

“It is time for Erin to make that step,” she said. “I think she’ll be great, she has great energy and she and her husband are really involved in the community.”

Ms. Tiernan has more than 20 years of experience in retail on the Island, working as a manager and then a partner at both Basics and Eastaway. 

“It’s amazing to have our own commercial property on the street. It doesn’t come up that often,” Ms. Tiernan said, adding that the two other stores are both in rented locations. “It feels very secure to have our own space. As a washashore, it makes me feel like part of the Island.”

Since Eastaway is a family clothing store, and Basics caters to both men and women, Ms. Tiernan says that Oso will be a new adventure.

“When it’s a women’s boutique, you’re expecting people to be a bit more knowledgeable about how to dress for your body type, fabrics, what’s appropriate to wear at a certain event,” said Ms. Tiernan. “Women have a lot of things going on in our lives, there are layers. It’s like going to the hairdresser, it’s a therapy session.”