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Downtown clothing store starting to make its mark(Telegraph, The (Nashua, NH) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Feb. 8--As the economy continues to force downtown business closures, Fresh of Nashua, a boutique that opened June 1, appears to be gaining the support of local shoppers and other storeowners. "I've developed quite a base of regulars since June," Owner Cheryl Plunkett said. "New ones daily." Among the fans are other downtown merchants, who say Plunkett's energy for the new business has been inspiring. "She's a wonderful, great addition to downtown Nashua," he said. "It's great to have her as a neighbor," said Phil Scontsas, owner of Scontsas Fine Jewelry and Home Decor, which is across the street. Fresh of Nashua, 178 Main St., was one of very few businesses to open downtown in 2008, amid declining economic conditions. In fact, about half a dozen closed. Although it's a boutique, Fresh of Nashua's merchandise was chosen with price in mind, not just fashion. "Our designers were chosen so that we could offer stylish yet comfortably casual clothing to fit your budget and your booty," the store's Web site says. For Plunkett, who lives in Groton, Mass., opening the store was a life-long dream after a long career in the corporate world. A mother of three -- Stefani, Melissa, and Michael -- Plunkett said that after she and her husband -- Fresh of Nashua co-owner Bruce Plunkett -- paid the last tuition bill for Melissa, Bruce told her to follow her dream, and that is what she did. "This is a big career change for me," she said. "I love it." Plunkett said she knew that when she finally did get a chance to open her dream boutique, Nashua is where she wanted it to go. "What a gem downtown is with the restaurants and shops," she said. Despite the recession, Plunkett remains optimistic about her career change. "This is where I want to be," she said. Other than the logo, designed by her daughter Stefani, Plunkett said she was completely hands-on when it came to the look and feel of the little boutique -- from the clothes to the lighting to the vase of lilies. "I wanted to incorporate things I wanted in a boutique when I go shopping," she said. The boutique has huge dressing rooms and a friendly vibe. After making a purchase, each shopper is given a reusable gift bag that has no logo on it, encouraging people to reuse it as gift-wrap. Plunkett also makes the boutique available for private shopping parties at no cost other than the merchandise purchased. She opens up the shop after hours and provides wine, seltzer and appetizers for these "girls night out" parties. Quickly after opening up shop in town, Plunkett became a member of Great American Downtown, a nonprofit that advocates for downtown business and promotes the area as a destination for shoppers and diners. "She's proactive with advertising," said Sue Butler, executive director of GAD. Butler said Fresh of Nashua is one of her favorite shops on Main Street. "She's always changing merchandise," she said. "She's very aggressive." Scontsas said that he and his wife, Amalia, love the boutique for it's chic clothes and affordable prices. "She did her homework and filled the gap that was needed," he said. Butler said that while some shops, like the Handbag Boutique, closed for economic reasons, some store closings had nothing to do with financial reasons, like Jordan's Luggage and Avery Furniture. "I expect great things even in an economy like this," Butler said. Also in the last six months or so, boutique Tallulah Rose, Absolutely NH and eatery Chicken 'n Chips have closed. Cookies by Design will shut its doors later this month, sometime after Valentine's Day. But Scontsas, like Butler, is also remaining positive during this rough time in the economy saying that he knows there will be "casualties" before this "storm" is over but this is something that this area will over come. "Downtown will always survive. It's the heart and soul of the city," he said. As for Plunkett? "She'll be here for a long time," Scontsas said. To see more of The Telegraph, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.nashuatelegraph.com Copyright (c) 2009, The Telegraph, Nashua, N.H. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email [email protected], call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA. |