Lisa White and her 20-year-old daughter, Raquel, have always enjoyed shopping in boutique clothing stores, yet they were never satisfied with the high prices. Knowing others felt the same way, they decided to open Raquel’s Closet and More. Dedicated to “The Queen City’s Hottest Fashions,” the shop offers elite, fashionable clothing for young misses, women and men.
“We love boutiques, but we could never afford the boutique prices. So I researched to see if there was good, quality items at affordable prices, for teenage girls especially, and there was,” said White, who co-owns the shop with her husband David. Both are local residents who graduated Southern Regional High School in 1983. “Everything in my store is under $100. You could buy a dress for $40,” she added.
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| Photo by Jack Reynolds Raquel White hangs up the shop's new fall inventory. |
The shop, which opened next to Chicken or the Egg in 2011 and had to be refurbished after 5 feet of floodwater damage from Superstorm Sandy in 2012, originally carried apparel for teenage- and college-aged girls only. It was relocated to Bay Village in March, and the inventory has expanded to appeal to more people in the family.
“When you have a family come in, you have Mom, Dad, your 16-year-old daughter and even Grandma sometimes. They actually can all find something in the store,” White said.
Raquel, whom the shop was named after, helps pick out the inventory, which is bought on a selective basis, added White.
“I order six pieces of one style, and when that goes out, it goes out. I don’t keep reordering it and having the same things in year to year, or week to week,“ said White. “I have a big turnaround; every week I’m getting new inventory in. There’s a lot of locals that shop here, too, from the mainland. So I want to keep it moving for them, too.”
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| Photo by Jack Reynolds Queen City Apparel tank tops are currently available in women's sizes. |
Currently geared more toward women’s fashion, the shop offers a variety of stylish apparel and accessories inspired by the latest trends from vibrant-colored tops and chic, detailed skirts to drapey kimonos perfect for layering.
“They’re fashionable,“ said White. “There’s a lot of must-haves to put in your wardrobe that I carry, including basic Sugarlips tank tops. They come in all colors, and you can put them under a sheer dress or something. A lot of things are sheer now, or crocheted. Everybody’s doing a hint of crochet everywhere. It’s so pretty. I love it. The boho style is really coming back for the fall,” she added.
Beach bags, purses and coverups with a beachy or nautical flair have also been popular among summer customers, said White. Lindsay Phillips flip-flops that have interchangeable snaps have been a huge hit.
“I have the basic pieces, but then I have the pieces that almost look vintage, but they’re brand new, which is the style,” she said. “There’s a lot of day into night outfits. You can get a sundress or a maxi dress for the day, and at night you can switch it up and put a piece of chunky jewelry with it, and you’re good to go. I love the fashion. I love putting outfits together, pretty much from head to toe,” she added.
The store owners also recently introduced Queen City Apparel, their own brand of clothing, which White said local apparel company Jetty helped design and print. Women’s tank tops were the first to launch this summer. The burnout tops, “good for hanging out at the beach, at home, or the gym,” come in charcoal gray, blue and light gray colors. Ladies yoga pants and men’s shirts are expected to be introduced next.
“Rather than ‘We’re in Beach Haven,’ I wanted to catch attention to ‘It’s in the Queen City,’” said White.
The shop, located at 213 N. Bay Ave., is open seven days a week, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. After Labor Day, store hours will be 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday through Saturday. The owners expect to keep the shop open until Christmas, before closing for the season.
For more information, call 609-207-6684.
— Kelley Anne Essinger
This article was published in The SandPaper.
This article was published in The SandPaper.
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