The HAPPY Place Boutique to Close While Owner Battles Cancer

Just six months after holding their grand opening, The HAPPY Place husband and wife co-owners Jim and Mina Buc have announced they will close their North Laguna clothing boutique due to Mina's recent breast cancer diagnosis.

"In order to allow her to follow a course of treatment and heal, I need to eliminate her stress," Jim Buc tells Patch. "This necessitates closing the store, since her 12-hour days volunteering are wearing her out."

The Bucs will continue to sell their colorful DON'T WORRY BE HAPPY T-shirts and hoodies via their online store, but with a smaller product line, says Jim.

The boutique at 1042 N. Coast Highway came about as an offshoot of the Bucs' nonprofit Don't Worry Be Happy Foundation, which aims to improve the lives of those suffering with cancer. The Bucs started the organization after their nephew, Kevin Carlberg, passed away from cancer. Proceeds of the sales help pay the day-to-day expenses of 36 "active warriors" on the organization’s website. Celebrities like Kobe Bryant and Fergie have posed for photos modeling the distinctive shirts, which all have the phrase DON'T WORRY BE HAPPY spelled out on the front.

Because of the closure, the Bucs will hold a blowout all-shirts-must-go sale this weekend, Nov. 10-11, from 9 a.m. till 5 p.m., including store fixtures and personal items. Jim says he hopes to eventually reopen, preferably in a smaller space closer to the downtown village.

"We still want to be able to help our warriors, as always," says Jim.