Klepto

If you’re into jewelry-making, or are just a lush for beads, check out a tour of this Plaza Midwood shop, with owner Lydia Stern.

1217 The Plaza
704-376-3331
www.beadlush.com

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Interested in expanding your wardrobe but not shrinking your wallet? Janix Shoes at Stonecrest carries a varied selection of trendy women’s footwear, handbags, tops, dresses, and jewelry at affordable prices. We may be in a recession, but Janix Shoes is adapting in style.

Store owner Jonathan Pettis opened Janix Shoes in September of 2007 in hopes of bringing “high style without the high in prices” to Charlotte. In the heart of the “busiest shopping center on this side of town,” Janix Shoes is an open, welcoming boutique lined with sandals, heels, wedges, and flats that surround vibrant clothing and accessories. The merchandise is bold and colorful with a modern, west coast flair.

“Why spend $400 for a bag when you can come spend $59?” says Pettis, whose inventory includes popular shoe brands such as Jessica Simpson, Carlos Santana, BCBG, and Sergio Zelcer, as well as Jessica Simpson handbags. “I have to find the funky style … to be different from other stores,” Pettis says of the store’s versatile and unusual selection, featuring prints, patterns, metallics, and solids all under one roof.

A native of Brooklyn, New York, Pettis worked in accounting at Macy’s in Manhattan and became familiar with the culture of women’s shoes and bags. “If you can survive in New York, you can survive here,” says Pettis, who has lived in Charlotte since 2005. His goals in opening the store were to be a part of the community and “give back something.” With that goal in mind, every two months Janix Shoes offers customers the opportunity to donate a pair of used shoes in exchange for 30 percent off any new pair of shoes in the store. “We want a big bang for our money,” says Pettis. The next shoe donation special will occur in mid September.

What has kept Janix Shoes going throughout the recession? “Positive thinking,” says Pettis, who says his customers “still want to go out and have fun.” With shoes ranging from $39-$89, handbags ranging from $49-$69, and clothing (including plus sizes) ranging from $19-$32, looking fashionable during tough economic times is still a possibility. “You can go a long way and still pay your bills

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Cute kids deserve cute duds, and Peek-A-Boo Couture is the place to go to find them (the clothes, not the kids). Check out this video tour of the Dilworth boutique.

1315 East Blvd., Suite 150
704-332-5338

(video by Aviva Cantor)

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Looking to feed your shoe addiction?  Check out STEP by Sloan in Dilworth. Featuring contemporary and luxury heels, flats, and more, STEP by Sloan will satisfy any shoe lover’s cravings.

Dan Mauney, co-owner of STEP by Sloan, strives to offer quality service and a varied selection of footwear, encouraging each customer to “be who you are and don’t force yourself into a box.”  While offering a variety of price points, the store environment is open and welcoming, correlating with Mauney’s belief that customers “shouldn’t feel like they have to dress up” to come in the store.  The white cushioned benches and large store windows give the store a chic, well-lit ambience amidst upbeat techno music.

“Don’t let age limit you.  Don’t let age and friends dictate what you’re wearing,” says Mauney, who believes the selection at STEP by Sloan truly caters to the lifestyle of the Charlotte customer.  STEP by Sloan footwear is trendy and diversified, just like its neighborhood surroundings.  “We love Dilworth,” says Mauney of the store location.  “Dilworth is a great place for us to call home.”  Located upstairs from its sister store, Sloan, Mauney believes that the stores together are a “one stop shop” for the perfect fashionable outfit.

Mauney has spent years immersing himself in the shoe business.  A native of Cherryville, Mauney attended Gardner-Webb with hopes of becoming a minister, only to find that his true calling was fashion. He went on to become a shoe buyer for Belk in Charlotte and Greenville for five years, then opened and managed Via Veneto at Phillips Place. Seven years ago, he embarked on a new endeavor: STEP by Sloan.

The store mascot, Spike the dachshund, enjoys greeting STEP by Sloan customers while they shop for brands such as Dolce Vita, Cordani, Cole Haan, Michael Kors, Diane Von Furstenberg, Giuseppe Zanotti, BCBG, and Modern Vintage. “We try to offer the best and have fun,” says Mauney.  STEP by Sloan also sends out comedic fashion and pop culture emails to its customers in order to creatively market their products and keep customers intrigued.  Mauney is proud of his store’s individual, lighthearted outlook. “We do our own thing and have fun.”

1419 East Blvd. Suite M
704-376-1275
www.stepbysloan.com
Facebook: STEP by Sloan
Twitter: @DANTHESHOEMAN

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Finding the perfect running shoe is as simple as turning on a computer.  The employees at Charlotte Running Company use technology and knowledge to ensure an ideal running, walking, and shopping experience for each customer.

Scott Dvorak, store owner and running enthusiast, opened Charlotte Running Company in 2000 with hopes to give runners and walkers the opportunity to “go where there is a knowledge base.”  Dvorak’s store uses video gait analysis, a motion software, to observe the movement of each customer’s feet while on a treadmill.  If customers need orthotics, Aetrex foot scanning is used in order to accurately measure feet.  His approach is detailed and effective, emphasizing the “amount of time spent with customers” in order to satisfy their running and walking needs.

Dvorak ran track and field and cross country while at NC State University, continued on to a post-collegiate career in running for Reebok, then tried out for the 1996 Olympics.  Now, he is using his experience and knowledge to benefit other athletes through his business.  “My employees love running,” says Dvorak, whose store also carries running clothing and accessories. (more…)

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Looking for chic shoes at an affordable price? Seventy-Two Shoe Boutique in Blakeney is having a sale from July 2-6, including deals of up to 50 percent off regular prices on designer footwear, 25 percent off handbags, and an additional 20 percent off already reduced items. Spend $150 or more and earn $50 off your next purchase starting July 20.

Seventy-Two Shoe Boutique has been open since March of this year. The store carries Cocobelle, DKNY, Nicole, Butter, BCBG Max Azria, Ann Roth, Via Spiga, Taryn Rose, Juicy Couture, Beverly Feldman, and many other trendy designers.

Store owner Jennifer J. Keen describes Seventy-Two Shoe Boutique as a “new gem,” featuring a varied selection of shoes, handbags, and accessories. Many of the store’s shoes are Italian-made and Brazilian-made, and each pair has a unique personality. From flirty Beverly Feldman sandals to versatile BCBG Max Azria pumps, Seventy-Two Shoe Boutique has a shoe for every occasion. “Your handbag and shoes can make your outfit look like one million dollars,” says Keen.

“I have always had a passion for shoes,” says Keen, a Winston-Salem native who graduated with a degree in computer science from North Carolina A&T University in Greensboro. She dreamed of opening up her own shoe store while living in New York City. “It was something I believed in,” she says. Inspired by her “fashion heaven” surroundings, Keen opted to “bring that flavor and flair here to Charlotte” by following her passion and opening Seventy-Two Shoe Boutique.

One of her main concerns is making sure that the store’s assortment doesn’t overlap with department store or discount store styles. According to Keen, her store offers a “new spin” on footwear by embracing color and variety with an edge. Her advice to shoppers is simple: “Wear that yellow shoe and look fabulous!”

Seventy-Two Shoe Boutique
9856-G Rea Road
704-542-0472
www.72shoeboutique.com
Monday-Saturday – 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Sunday – by appointment only

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Velocity is “fashion for your sole,” and owner Darryl Hines portrays the perfect example of that sole-ful style. He has been working steadfast to bring his urban sneaker boutique into an area of Charlotte that is in desperate need of independent retail presence. His University area store sits in the midst of chain stores and restaurants, standing out with its fresh, clean appearance and hip-hopping, wallet-dropping merchandise. You won’t find clutter and old shoe boxes here — just bright colors, hot shoes and modern style.

Creative Loafing: Tell me a little about Velocity. What is its reason for being?
Darryl Hines: Velocity is a fashion-forward sneaker boutique. It differs from other sneaker and footwear boutiques by the simple fact that it is offering new styles, brands, colors, and patterns along with classic styles, brands colors and patterns. So if you come looking for something different or for something classic, this is the place you find it all under one roof.

How did you get involved in the sneaker business?
It’s actually a longer story. I’ve had an affection for shoes and sneakers for 14 or 15 years, actually probably younger than that. The sneaker business came when I began recognizing that there wasn’t anyone targeting the mature urbanite, the person that maybe has a corporate day job but still likes to wear sneakers and casual apparel on evenings and weekends. Since there wasn’t anyone offering unique sneakers to that particular market, that I consider myself to be apart of, I came up with the vision of Velocity to create an atmosphere and sales environment, with some very unique but stylish sneakers at an affordable price, and here we are. (more…)

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Blis Gift Boutique is kind of hard to find. I managed to stumble upon it in Founders Hall last week when I was wandering around a hallway I thought I wasn’t supposed to be down.

Although tucked away in a corner of the upper level of Founders Hall, there’s much to look at in this little shop. As noted on their site, Blis carries fun gifts, even some products made by N.C. folks. Smack dab in the middle is a cart carrying items that you can throw together to make a nice gift basket.

(more…)

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Antiques on Main has been open for nearly four years, and is the product of owner Joan Glasser’s passion for antiques.

“It is second best to buy for the store,” Glasser said. “I love everything in here and I would take it all home if I had the room.”

The shop features a wide variety of antiques and collectibles, ranging from knickknacks to furniture to glassware. Glasser pointed out that it was important for each piece to be “unusual and to have history.”
Antiques on Main is separated into four rooms — the best housing the large selection of vintage jewelry.
“I strive to acquire unique pieces,” Glasser said of her inventory. Antiques on Main also carries a few newer items, such as notebooks and deliciously smelling soaps from France.

Glasser is proud of her reasonable prices and tries to make antiques affordable for everyone.

If you are thinking about selling any antiques or collectibles you have lying around the house, Glasser will either purchase your items outright or put them in the store on consignment.

Antiques on Main is open seven days a week.

Antiques on Main
103 N. Main St.
Waxhaw NC 28173
704-843-3203

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Here We Grow Again, a children’s consignment boutique, has been open since May 2008. Even though the shop has been open for less than a year, it is bursting with clothing and accessories for infants, toddlers and teens. Here We Grow Again also carries maternity clothing and women’s accessories.

If you are in search of items other than clothes, the store has a large selection of toys, children’s furniture and equipment. (more…)

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