There are some stories you write as a reporter.
And then there are the ones you feel in your chest a little.
The Plus Bus closing is one of those stories.
Because for so many in Los Angeles, and honestly, far beyond it, The Plus Bus wasn’t just a boutique. It was a place you went to feel like yourself again. Or maybe, for the first time.
And at the center of that space was cofounder Marcy Guevara, who, over the last decade, built something that blended fashion, community, and affirmation in a way that still feels rare.
More Than a Store, It Was Community
When Marcy talks about The Plus Bus, she doesn’t lead with sales or scale. She talks about people.
The friendships. The connections. The moments that happened in between the racks.
“I am most proud of the relationships and community that we have built,” she shares. “People have met each other and forged real friendships because of the Plus Bus… I know that my life legacy will include stories about the Plus Bus.”
That word, legacy, isn’t used lightly here.
Because before The Plus Bus, in-person plus size shopping in LA was… limited. And not just in options, but in experience.
What Marcy created was intentional.
“We created events and a space where people could feel centered,” she explains. “I have had so many people telling me how the Plus Bus changed their life… how affirming their shopping experience was.”
And if you’ve ever been in a space where your body is considered, not accommodated, you understand exactly what that means.
So… Why Is The Plus Bus Closing?
That’s the question sitting underneath all of this.
Why would something so impactful, so needed, come to an end?
The answer isn’t dramatic. It’s not scandalous. It’s something much more familiar and much more difficult:
Sustainability.
“The decision has not been made in haste,” Marcy says. “It is coming after three years of struggling.”
Like many independent businesses, especially in niche markets, the passion didn’t always translate into profit.
“Things were not adding up to be profitable enough for me even to take a small salary,” she shares. “I can no longer personally invest any further in the business.”
And that reality? It’s one we’re seeing echoed across plus size retail right now.
The Realities of Building in Plus Size Fashion
Running a boutique is already complex. Running a plus size boutique, with limited resources, evolving demand, and constant education of your customer base, is another layer entirely.
Marcy is candid about what that looked like behind the scenes.
“Having a niche business is very challenging… you need to have extreme financial literacy and really understand what you’re getting into,” she explains.
Without major financial backing, much of the business relied on her own effort and visibility.
“It was incredibly challenging to market the business and relied a lot on virality and my own efforts,” she says.
And like many founders, she became the engine behind everything.
“If your entire business depends on you then you’ve just created a job for yourself.”
The Emotional Weight of Leading in This Space
Beyond logistics, there’s something else Marcy names, something that doesn’t always get acknowledged.
The emotional weight.
“It is incredibly difficult to get anyone to take your business seriously,” she shares.
From pricing pushback to navigating visibility as a plus size founder, the challenges weren’t just operational, they were cultural.
And within the community itself, she notes the complexity of leading in such an intersectional space:
“The plus size space can be… intense,” she says. “I would love to see it evolve into a truly inclusive community… with a little bit more grace.”
There’s care in that statement. And honesty.
A Bittersweet Goodbye, And a Necessary One
Even in closing, there’s both grief and clarity in Marcy’s voice.
“I’m devastated to remove this resource from Los Angeles,” she admits. “But I am optimistic that the next generation will rise.”
And at the same time, there’s a shift happening, one that feels deeply personal.
“I’m ready to be my most authentic self… this decision is a part of that identity shift.”
After years of balancing multiple roles, including her work in broadcasting, this moment is also about recalibration.
“Success for me is choosing myself… my health and my happiness,” she says.
Before The Doors Close: One Last Chance to Show Up
As The Plus Bus closing begins, Marcy is inviting the community back in, one more time.
A major sale is happening this weekend as the boutique begins liquidation.
It’s not just a sale, it’s an opportunity to support a business that has, for years, supported so many.
And if there’s one message that she hopes people take with them, it’s this:
“We have to support the brands we love… don’t wait for them to go out of business to support them.”
What Comes Next for Marcy Guevara
While this chapter is ending, Marcy isn’t disappearing.
In many ways, she’s returning to where it all began… content, storytelling, and being on camera.
“I’ve always wanted to be an on-camera host,” she says. “Maybe HSN, QVC… a girl can dream!!!”
And if you’ve followed her journey, you already know, that dream feels well within reach.
A Final Thank You
At the heart of it all, Marcy is grounded in gratitude.
“I want to thank everyone who has ever supported the Plus Bus… I will never forget the memories I have made,” she shares.
And maybe the most important note to end on:
“I tried my very best to keep the dream alive… I’m choosing myself and that feels good.”
The Plus Bus Closing, But Not the End of Its Impact
The racks may empty. The doors may close.
But what The Plus Bus created: community, confidence, connection… that doesn’t just go away.
It stays with everyone who walked through those doors and felt, even for a moment:
Seen.
How to Continue Supporting Plus Size Fashion in Los Angeles
If there’s one thing Marcy Guevara made clear, it’s this: supporting plus size fashion has to be intentional and ongoing.
So, as The Plus Bus closing marks the end of this chapter, consider this your reminder (and invitation) to continue showing up for the brands and spaces that are still doing the work.
Whether that looks like shopping in-store, sharing your favorite finds, or investing at full price when you can, it all matters.
We’ll be sharing a dedicated guide to plus size shopping in LA next, because this community deserves options, visibility, and support.
