Change Ahead for Iconic Port Washington Boutique

Owner Announces Retirement Plans

Zing Boutique, a vibrant mainstay of Port Washington’s downtown business district, will close its doors by the end of the current year, 2024. The Boutique’s owner, Deb Neulreich, has decided to retire.

“Over the years, we’ve met our goals to serve women,” said Neulreich, noting that she felt it time for her to wind down and do other kinds of service. “I have very specific retirement goals,” she explained. “I will focus on serving my church, our community and being more present for family, especially my grandchildren.”

Deb Neulreich and her husband, James Neulreich, listed Zing’s 1931 Art Deco building at the corner of Franklin and Washington Streets for sale. The structure, known as the Schumacher Building, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Terrazzo floors, high ceilings, expansive windows and sparkling displays have made it a go-to shop for women in a four-county area, as well as visitors to Port’s lakefront area. Zing’s recognizable logo of bright pink lips and green dress have long graced the storefront.

Zing Boutique set a standard for customer service. Neulreich and the women who have become her trusted associates put their energy into meeting women’s needs and helping them feel confident and comfortable in what they are wearing. “We made house calls, at-home deliveries, well before COVID restrictions were in place,” said Neulreich. She described taking racks of clothing to customers who were bereaved, physically challenged, or recovering from surgery or an injury. “Not for economic gain, but because it was the right thing to do to help out someone who needed some compassion and kindness.”

Neulreich selected quality lines of clothing such as Robel and Tango Mango and Minnetonka shoes and slippers, as well as a constantly updated array of jewelry, purses, scarves and hats. Seventeen years in the business, and Deb Neulreich said the time at Zing has zipped by. “We haven’t really been counting the years because time flies when you’re having fun!”

The sale of Zing Boutique’s building will dictate the timeline for wrapping up the business, though Neureich has committed to beginning her next life chapter by the end of December 2024. Plans for sales of clothing and other inventory are in the works, but those plans are dependent on whether the buyer chooses to purchase the business as well as the building.

Neulreich stated that her customers holding gift cards should plan to redeem them soon. “It will be hard to say goodbye,” she said. “Our customers and our community have been a joy to us.”