Sweet Southern Sass Boutique: PREMIER STORE SPOTLIGHT PREMIER RETAILER Q&A

We interviewed Leigh Ann Coffey, owner of the sweetest (no pun intended) boutique in Humeston, Iowa called Sweet Southern Sass, for this week’s Premier Store Spotlight! Not only does she have great style, but she is the young mom of two toddlers and knows the ins-and-outs of kiddo style. Leigh Ann gave us the scoop on where to go in Humeston for family night out and her style picks from both Le Top and Rabbitmoon’s fall 2011 collections! Read more and discover a new gem of a store that only opened 3 weeks ago! Stop by and say hello (well, and feel free to do a bit of shopping)!

 

Sweet Southern Sass

120 Broad Street
Humeston, IA 50123
641.877.6178
www.sweetsouthernsass.net

CHECK-IN and JOIN Sweet Southern Sass’ Facebook page and click HERE

1.    Tell us the inspiration behind launching your new boutique? How did you come up with the name?
Leigh Ann:  The inspiration for launching my store came in the form of my two girls, Skylar (age 5 ½) and Kinsey (age 3). I love dressing them and was getting discouraged with the selection of clothes we have in our area (Southern Iowa). I have also wanted to have my own business for a long time, especially one that my girls could be a part of in the future. So the very unique opportunity arose to build my store next door to a very well established women’s clothing and gift store, which has a thriving clientele of grandmothers, so I have a ready made market!

Sweet Southern Sass' ribbon cutting ceremony with Leigh Ann (pictured center in striped shirt) and daughter Skylar cutting the ribbon!

I came up with the name, Sweet Southern Sass, because I’m originally from the South (Kentucky) and we live in Southern Iowa, so that part was easy. I have a friend that loves the word Sassy, and that seemed to fit the image I wanted. My husband thought just Southern Sass sounded like a barbecue sauce, so I threw in the Sweet (he said that wasn’t much better!), but it seemed to fit! It’s only taken me a few weeks to be able to answer the phone without getting tongue-tied!!

2.    Tell us the inside scoop about any special events that you have planned for your boutique for fall, especially the fun deals we can expect. Anything for Halloween next month?
Leigh Ann:  We have just had our big Grand Opening sale last week, so I’m still working on what future events to have. Actually tonight, we’re taking part in Humeston’s Back-to-School night, we’ll be open late and offering a sale on all clothing. Maybe a Spooktacular Sale for Halloween?! Check back in later in the Fall, we will be having lots of events and fun sales, just haven’t gotten all the details worked out yet (been busy trying to figure out my cash register!!).  

3.    Back-to-school is here and in full swing – what are 3 trends you can tell parents to look for when updating their kids’ wardrobe this fall?
Leigh Ann:  I would recommend something with a bubble skirt (the girls love them!), footless tights with flats, and bright colors!  

A patron showing off Le Top's "Vroom!" collection stripe shirt and stonewashed motorcycle jeans

4.    Please tell us 1 easy tip or snack/meal for a child’s back-to-school lunchbox?
Leigh Ann:  My daughter loves “ants on a log”. It’s just a celery stick with peanut butter on top, then top it off with a row of raisins! Very healthy and filling!  

5.    Tell us…before you “had kids or grandkids, what is one thing you swore you’d never…?” Please share!
Leigh Ann:  Oh, this one is easy! My kids were never going to have pacifiers, they seemed so silly! Skylar was 4 when she got rid of hers and Kinsey was 3! I am a very weak Mom and they were so handy at bedtimes!!

6.    Describe the neighborhood of your store location in Humeston, Iowa. Did you grow up in the local area?
Leigh Ann:  I actually grew up in Springfield, Kentucky. Met a farmer at a cattle show in Nebraska and moved to Iowa! But the people in Humeston and Southern Iowa make me feel as though I was born and raised there! We have a unique situation in Humeston, it’s a very small rural town on a main highway that attracts people from all over the state because of the great restaurant to eat lunch at (Grassroots Gallery and Cafe) and Snyder’s Variety and Gifts that carries womenswear and just about everything else. We’re located right next door to Snyder’s and across the street from Grassroots, we have a great location!

7.    Tell us about a “special” moment that has made your day working at your store since it has opened.
Leigh Ann:  I’ve had a special moment almost everyday since I opened three weeks ago. Every time a customer compliments things, it just gives me warm fuzzies! But the most special times are when my girls help me in the store. We unpack boxes of clothes and they help me price them, put them on hangers, then decide on the spot to put them in the store. They even wait on customers! They love it and it is great to see them take so much ownership in the store. I want them to be a part of it and see that women can be businesswomen, as well as moms and wives. I think they’re going to be a great help in the future!

Inside Sweet Southern Sass

8.    You see celebrity children and their “celeb style” in the weekly magazines…what celebrity child has the best style and why?
Leigh Ann:  I’m going to have to say Suri Cruise. She’s always so classy and cute! 

9.    Where are the best/essential family hangouts and places to go around your store location?
Leigh Ann:  Our store is located on the main street in Humeston. So the absolute most popular place in Humeston is Snyder’s Variety and Gifts, located next door. They have something for everyone! We also have a wonderful park in town for the kids to play and a great art gallery/lunch spot across the street!

10.    What Le Top or rabbitmoon Fall 2011 collection is your store’s favorite and why?
Leigh Ann:  They are all so cute! I’ve gotten lots of compliments on the Le Top and Rabbitmoon lines! I’ll have to say the Le Top “Vroom!” and “Under Construction” collections for boys has been very popular and the Le Top “Pizzazz” and Rabbitmoon “Harmony” collections have done very well for girls! Personally, I love the Rabbitmoon “Harmony” line the best, such a cute color combination! 

rabbitmoon "harmony" collection

Sweet Southern Sass

120 Broad Street
Humeston, IA 50123
641.877.6178
www.sweetsouthernsass.net 

CHECK-IN and JOIN
Sweet Southern Sass’
Facebook page and click HERE

Read Full Post »

Marissa’s Room: STORE SPOTLIGHT PREMIER RETAILER Q&A

We interviewed one of the most darling and hot children’s boutiques in Edmond, Oklahoma this week – Marissa’s Room! Founder and owner, Melissa Morton, gave us the inside scoop on where the store’s name comes from, what fun events you can expect this summer, and knowing what her customers want from being a local for the past 20 years! Read below for more.

Marissa’s Room
3224 South Broadway #124
Edmond, OK 73013
405.285.7777

or go to http://www.marissasroom.com
for more information and locations

CHECK-IN and JOIN Marissa’s Room Facebook page and click HERE

1.    What was your inspiration behind opening your children’s clothing store – Marissa’s Room?
Melissa: When I was a little girl my Grandmother, Mother and Aunts looked for special things to buy for me. When I had my daughter, Marissa, my family was so excited to continue this tradition. We looked all over to find sweet things for her that you couldn’t find other places. We were so excited to dress her up! After shopping for her, I realized what was missing from the stores in our area. Our goal for Marissa’s Room is to provide unique and special gifts and clothing to our customers. 

2.    Tell us the inside scoop about any special events that you have planned at your store and e-boutique this coming summer and fun deals we can expect.
Melissa: We have only been open a month now, but our Grand Opening was a huge success! We made our own “Marissa’s Room” perfume and lotion and Hello Kitty visited. Edmond Krazy Daze’s sale is coming up at the end of the month and we will be sure to update you what days this will take place! During which, we will host a sidewalk sale. In addition to that, we are planning future special events for moms and grandparents.

3.    Tell us a secret/fun fact about your store that not that many would know?
Melissa: Marissa’s Room is a family run store. We all play a part in the running of this business. My entire family works at the store. I think sometimes, people are surprised by that. It takes all of us, my husband, my mom, my sister, and my brother! Marissa, my daughter, who is now 9 years-old has been going to market since she was 2! Her input matters and she knows what she likes. We make our decisions about products to sell and clothing lines to carry with our hearts. We care about our store and our customers. If it wasn’t for our customers, we wouldn’t be able to do what we love!

4.    Tell us…before you “had kids or grandkids, what is one thing you swore you’d never…?” Please share!
Melissa: I never thought I would be one of those parents that took pictures of everything that their child did. My poor daughter! Every moment of her life has been a photo-op. My grandfather used to babysit her for us. He would take pictures of her constantly. I am pretty sure she had the run of the house while he was watching her. The pictures he would share with us are priceless!

5.    Describe the neighborhood of your store location in Edmond, Oklahoma. Did you grow up in the area?
Melissa: We opened our store front location in Edmond, Oklahoma on June 4th of this year! This business is not new to us though, we have been in the children’s clothing business for over 7 years. Our new boutique is located in Edmond in Shoppes on Broadway. Edmond has over 80,000 people and is growing strong! Edmond is located in Central Oklahoma, and is a friendly and family oriented community. However, our customers are not limited to just the Edmond area; we have customers from all over Oklahoma and the world. My family and I have lived in Oklahoma for over 20 years.

6.    What would you say are the top 3 requested clothing and/or accessory items requested from your store this summer?
Melissa: We have had some very specific requests this summer. Customers know what they want. Our customers love the outfits from Le Top with matching hats. We also have a lot of requests for matching outfits in different sizes. Usually customers are trying to put together a cute family photo. Finding options for something like this is easy to do with Le Top. Another request is for special birthday outfits. 

7.    Tell us about a “special” moment that made your day working at your store.
Melissa: I love it when customers come in and are so excited to buy something special! It makes my day to see how excited they are to find that perfect gift or outfit. It reminds me of my family buying for my daughter.

8.    Where are the best/essential family hangouts and places to go around your store locations?
Melissa: Our Children’s Boutique is located in a busy area in the heart of Edmond. We are next to Bella Strada Salon and across the street from Chick-Fil-A!    

9.    What Le Top or rabbitmoon Spring/Summer 2011 collection is your store’s favorite and why?
Melissa: Oh, don’t make me pick! I love Le Top! My favorite is how they put detail on the back of the clothing. A lot of times we hang things backwards so customers can see the sweet detail. Le Top thinks of everything, and once a customer buys Le Top, they will come back for more!

Marissa’s Room
3224 South Broadway #124
Edmond, OK 73013
(405) 285-7777

or go to
http://www.marissasroom.com
for more information and locations

Check-in and join Marissa’s Room
Facebook page and click HERE

Read Full Post »

Baby’s Perfect Gift: PREMIER RETAILER Q&A

We are happy to announce the grand opening of “Baby’s Perfect Gift” children’s boutique in Montclair, New Jersey.  Marcia and Ilene, store owners/founders/mommy gurus, give us the scoop on hot local trends, local activities for families and the top essentials for any new mom (that you can find at their new store!). Read more and enjoy!

1.      Where did the name Baby’s Perfect Gift come from? What was the inspiration behind the name?
Marcia & Ilene: The most thoughtful shoppers are always looking for the “perfect gift” for special occasions. To us, a new baby seemed like the ultimate special occasion, thus the name Baby’s Perfect Gift!

2.      How did you pick the location of your new store? Describe the neighborhood where your store is located.
Marcia & Ilene: Montclair is a very diverse town, with three major shopping areas. The uptown area, where our store is located, is predominately young urban families and therefore, seemed like a perfect location for us.

3.      What would you suggest as the top 5 essentials a new mom should by in your store?
Marcia & Ilene:  Every new mom should have a “Miracle Blanket”, a “ lovie,” burp cloths, a practical (but fashionable) diaper bag, and of course, layette essentials from Le Top Baby.

Store owners Ilene (middle left) and Marcia (middle right)

4. What are the best 3 local family activities to do in Montclair, New Jersey?
Marcia & Ilene: There are numerous parks with awesome climbing equipment, kids programs at the Montclair Art Museum, and town sports activities.

5.      Tell us about the school lunches your mom or dad made for you when you were a kid? What would someone find inside your brown paper bag?
Marcia:  My mom hated making school lunches and it showed. I always made it a point to sit next to my friend whose parents owned a deli and always had delicious lunches. When I became “the mom,” I understood why she hated it so much, so I assigned the responsibility to my husband who is never tired of coming up with a variety of healthy and delicious lunches.

6.      What tip would you give to a parent dressing a child for fall and holiday? Any hot trends?
Marcia & Ilene: Always pick outerwear that children will like to wear, and are able to take on and off on their own. A good fit allows a child room to move around, and the ability to layer underneath is also essential. A hot trend for both girls and boys appears to be leg warmers for the legs and arms. Also tutus of every size and color seem to be very much in demand!

7.      Do you plan on doing anything special for Halloween at your store?
Marcia & Ilene: We do have a Halloween display in the store featuring baby’s “first Halloween” costumes bibs, etc., but unfortunately this year, Halloween falls on a day that the store is closed.

8.      What is your favorite memory of a costume you wore as a child?
Marcia: As a child, the memory of the accumulating Halloween treats rivals any memory of actual costumes.

9.      What’s next on your agenda since the store is now open?
Marcia & Ilene: We have a few! First, establishing ourselves as the “go to” store for the “perfect” gift or for all baby needs. Secondly, working to maintain an enticing inventory selection at various affordable price points. Lastly, to remain sensitive to our customers needs and purchase their shopping requests in order to continue to grow into a premier shopping location.

10.      What collection or piece from Le Top or Le Top Baby line or Rabbitmoon do you love from the Fall/Holiday 2010 collection?
Marcia & Ilene: We love the Le Top boys “Take Flight” collection and the girls rabbitmoon “Savanna” collection for fall. 

Featured are rabbitmoon's shirt and pants from the "jet" collection. Le Top's "Take Flight" aviator jacket and cap. As well as a body suit and bib canvas overalls from the Le Top "guitar" collection.

 

 

Baby’s Perfect Gift
195 Bellevue Avenue
Upper Montclair, NJ 07043
973.744.6999
www.babysperfectgift.com

Read Full Post »