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| Bryce Batts will open her physical store, Clothes Hound, Saturday at Brennan Station in North Raleigh. Photo By Michael Batts |
- CORRESPONDENT
Three years ago, N.C. State University grad Bryce Batts opened her online boutique, Clothes Hound. The shop, which carries designer looks at affordable prices, has gained a strong following among local shoppers and customers across the country.
Now Batts is taking her store from the virtual realm to the "real world" with a physical location, opening Saturday at Brennan Station in North Raleigh.
"I wanted to open a brick-and-mortar location of Clothes Hound to better serve our local customers," Batts says. "They enjoy Clothes Hound shopping parties in their homes and have shopped with us at various local events, such as the Junior League of Raleigh's annual Shopping Spree. Now they don't have to wait to see us at an event or host a party to try on the dress they saw online and fell in love with."
Batts will add a wider selection of clothes, shoes and handbags from hard-to-find and new collections, such as Paper Crown by Lauren Conrad.
"We have a three-person buying team that ensures there is something in our collection for everyone," Batts says. "We also search out hard-to-find brands from smaller and local designers, plus brands that are unique to the Triangle."
Though it's adding new lines, the bulk of the store's inventory will still be priced at $150 or less, with a few more expensive investment pieces.
"We know trends are always changing, and lower prices allow the customer to buy more of the clothes they really want," Batts says.
Aside from increasing the store's offerings, Batts hopes this new offline location will allow her to build an even stronger relationship with her customers.
"They can stop in any time, have a glass of wine and try on our new arrivals," she says. "Having a physical location allows us to add a personal touch and a memorable shopping experience."
Clothes Hound is at 8111 Creedmoor Road, Suite 149, Raleigh. shopclotheshound.com.
Read more: http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/06/23/1293396/clothes-hound-opening-offline.html#ixzz1QE060UiC
