Isis Abruptly Closes Its Businesses

On Tuesday evening at 10:25 p.m., shocked customers read this message on Isis Parenting’s Facebook page:

“With heavy hearts, we announce the extremely sad news that Isis Parenting must close. Effective immediately, no classes or phone consults will take place. We are taking steps to communicate with all affected class participants over the coming days and we thank the Isis community in advance for your patience and understanding during this very difficult time. For a short time, our centers will be open with limited hours. We’ll keep you updated here on Facebook and on our website and hope you will come visit our centers to say goodbye.”

The upscale maternity and early parenthood retailer was more than just a store to many parents. The shop offered prenatal workshops, yoga, new parenthood classes, and even bellydancing. It was also a place where new moms (and dads) socialized, shared secrets, and became new friends by bonding in parenthood. What started in a small shop in Brookline in 2003 turned into a multiple location chain with storefronts in the Back Bay, Hanover, Arlington, and Needham. Isis also had locations in Atlanta and Dallas.

Isis was also a place that many local hospitals including Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Brigham and Women’s, and Tufts Medical Center would outsource prenatal classes.

Reaction to the closing has been a mix of shock and tears. Some loyal customers have even offered to give Isis money to stay in business. It is clear by these comments that Isis was more than just a store. Here is a screenshot of some of the reactions:

Nancy Holtzman, the vice president of clinical content at Isis, responded to the plethora of tweets and Facebook messages:

Thank you. I am crushed. The fb and tweets really do help and make me smile. It’s been a long day and today will be another.

— Nancy Holtzman (@nancyholtzman) January 15, 2014

UPDATED 11:24 a.m.: We received a statement from Brigham and Women’s Hospital:

Isis Parenting has provided prenatal and postpartum education for patients who deliver at BWH. The hospital is working with Isis to accommodate patients who are already registered for scheduled classes, and we are developing a long-term plan to ensure our patients’ needs are met going forward.