SPOTLIGHT SHOPS: Getting to Know the Nominees of the BSA202D (pt. 7)

FLIRT BOUTIQUE ST. PAUL

In 2008, Jessica Gerard closed her antique shop and created the concept of Flirt, St. Paul’s first lingerie boutique. She used several pieces of furniture from her old antique shop to give the store a European flair. Now, Flirt is known for its elegant collection and excellent customer service. "I never cease my endeavor to be anything but the best for my customers. I work in my shop five days a week, giving my customers a strong connection to both me and Flirt. They have come to know my lovely staff who have been with me for years. Flirt would not be what it is today without this amazing team of ladies!"

LA FEMME DANGEREUSE

Owning a lingerie boutique was a lifelong dream of Nicole Waters, especially after her experience being a personal shopper at a famous luxury store on 57th street and years designing lingerie. She has all the know-how of both ends of the industry: from designing a bra to making it, to merchandising and selling it. That start-to-finish knowledge helps Nicole to educate her customers about the products and help them understand why it's worth investing in quality pieces. Located in Woodbury, New York, La Femme Dangereuse is known for its truly exemplary customer service and quality products. "Owning a lingerie boutique has been one of the most rewarding things I have ever done. I have formed close bonds with my customers, some of whom I have known before, during, and after their battles with cancer. Others come chat with me because they know it is a safe space for them to discuss their relationships, or to just get away from their everyday lives for a minute."

ANNA BELLA FINE LINGERIE

Anna Bella Fine Lingerie originated from the fleeting thought of "I can do this better!" It all started on a shopping excursion when Pamela McKinzie and her daughter went on a quest to find the perfect strapless bra. That shopping trip spurred an insight that would soon fuel a new passion for the store’s founder. The insight was: women’s lingerie was a very underserved market and surely there was a better way. Located in Alpharetta, Georgia, Anna Bella is known for personable, friendly staff, and a sincere level of customer service coupled with offering an amazing variety of lingerie. "We feel it is not only our job to service the needs of our customers, but to exercise great care for them personally."

BLOOMERS

Located in Alexandria, Virginia, Bloomers was opened in 2008 creating a store where you could buy great foundational garments and comfortable pajamas that you could wear in front of your kids. A place where you can buy cute sleepwear, that you can actually answer the door in, and the perfect wardrobe solutions for all your special occasions. Nicole White and her team continue to maintain the vision of Bloomers focusing on underwear, sleepwear, loungewear, and not lingerie. Nicole strives to make Bloomers a place that customers feel comfortable shopping in and where bra shopping isn’t a chore.

BITS OF LACE

The business was established over 40 years ago as a premiere, full-service, fine lingerie boutique situated in the historic downtown of Charleston, South Carolina. In 2014, Ruth Brennan, a former registered nurse opened a second location 15 minutes away, in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina to establish a more local client base transitioning from the singular, premiere-destination location. Sitting on the shore of Shem Creek, surrounded by beautiful oak trees covered in Spanish moss, the current location provides customers with ample parking and a spacious back porch that serves perfectly for special events on the creek. "We are forever growing and understanding of our industry while working together with our vendors to provide the most excellent opportunity available in the US for lingerie today. Our mission is to reach out across all forms to focus on women in every aspect of their lives. We partner with the non-profit Center for Women, where we support a variety of different local women’s groups. We also partner with the Medical University of South Carolina and host bra drives in which we have donated over 500 gently used bras to Free the Girls, a non-profit to help provide work for women formerly in sex slavery."

RUMEUR LINGERIE

About a year ago, Tricia Naylor saw a gap in the market in San Diego, California, and knew that she had an opportunity to help women feel good about themselves physically and mentally. "Our mission is to help women feel good in their bodies! We have created a beautiful and welcoming space to help women feel comfortable and excited to get into something new, whether it's an everyday t-shirt bra, go-to panties, or something a little out of your comfort zone. We know that every body is unique and we work hard to ensure that we have something that works for all types."





#BSA202D