Magnolia Boulevard got a little taste of Tokyo last week.
With the opening of her Power Support store and showroom, Keiko Napier has brought popular Apple accessories with a Japanese style to Burbank.
“It’s part of my family business,” Napier said, who has lived in Burbank for 20 years.
Her family owns the Japanese Apple product accessories company, Power Support, which makes all kinds of covers, holders, mounts and receptacles for Apple products, including iPods, iPhones and Macs.
Since 1994, the products have been coming out of Japan and were introduced in 2005 as one of the select few product lines sold in Apple store locations and online.
“It’s just grown very steadily and quickly,” she said.
The Power Support store and showroom Napier owns and operates is the only location in the country.
As a longtime Burbank resident, she decided to keep the store close, she said.
After 17 years as a stay-at-home mom, the store will be Napier’s first business endeavor in a long time.
“We’re trying to keep things that are Japanese-made and local stuff,” she said.
The store features handbags made of steel by a Valley Village resident as well as a smattering of Power Support’s more popular items.
Kris Swenson, an employee of Melrose Mac, an Apple retailer on West Olive Avenue near Power Support, said the store was sorely needed in that neighborhood.
“That block in particular where they are moving has a lot more foot traffic, so it will be a good area for them, while our store is more destination,” Swenson said.
Melrose Mac does not sell Apple accessories.
By the time Power Support has its grand opening in mid-December, the full product line should be available for purchase.
Though Napier did not design any of the merchandise, which has a pop-art, Japanese flavor, she had a hand in the look and feel of the shop itself.
When remodeling began on the small space five weeks ago, it was a blank canvas. Napier designed every detail of the Power Support store’s crisp and colorful looks, she said.
“We kind of want to keep that clean, architectural, Japanese aesthetic,” she said. “We’re not completely finished, but we’re happy with it.”
