Apricot Lane Boutique opens for business

A new women’s boutique is now open at the Meadowood Mall.

Apricot Lane Boutique is officially open for business in a 2,300-square-foot store located in the Meadowood Mall between The Children’s Place and Coach. The store is a retail franchise that offers an array of apparel, jewelry, shoes, handbags and accessories for women.

The store is owned by long-time Nevada resident Star Anderson. She has an extensive business career with more than 30 years in the casino and gaming industry holding positions such as CFO and general manager. Now that her children are grown and have children of their own, she wanted to embark on a new business venture. She contemplated starting a children’s online boutique but eventually decided that she wanted to open a boutique for women.

“I really wanted to do something I had a passion for,” Anderson said in a recent phone interview with NNBW.

Anderson has owned small businesses before but Apricot Lane Boutique marks her first small business she is able to dedicate 100 percent of her time toward.

She wanted to open a store where she could help women while also providing a personalized, boutique shopping experience.

“For me I have always loved Nevada,” Anderson said. “… (but) I just couldn’t find the shopping experience I was looking for.”

She explained that many of the current stores and boutiques in the Reno area caterer more toward a younger demographic of women. After extensive research, she decided opening an Apricot Lane franchise in Reno was the best business endeavor for her.

“I liked the corporate feel and I also liked that I didn’t have to order what all the other stores ordered,” Anderson said.

Apricot Lane Boutique allows each store owner the ability to buy merchandise that will best fit the needs of their particular customers.

“We look forward to reacting instantly to the emerging trends here in the Reno area and the requests we receive from customers, along with the highest level of customer service, that’s what the boutique experience is all about,” said Anderson in a press release.

According to Anderson, the Reno store will carry brands such as Dex, Vintage Havana, Marc Jacobs, LVR, which is an organic line of yoga wear, and much more. Prices will range from high $20s to low $100s.

“We have many, many outfits that customers can put together under $100,” she said.

Anderson also wanted to open a business where she could give back to the community.

The store features products from the brand 3Strands, which donates 100 percent of profits to employ young women who have been rescued from sex trafficking. She will also carry other brands such as Good Works and Puravida, which donate a portion of each sale back to a cause.

“We have quiet a few brands that give back,” Anderson said.

Since Apricot Lane Boutique is a franchise, Anderson was able to take advantage of the many resources and support the corporate company offers their storeowners including having the assistance of a leasing agent who helped negotiate the lease at Meadowood.

“They do such a great job,” Anderson said about corporate.

Prior to the opening of the Reno store, the closest Apricot Lane Boutique was in Folsom, Calif. According to Anderson, there are 82 Apricot Lane Boutiques across the United States.

The Reno store currently employs eight employees and Anderson said she is looking to fill two more part-time positions.

The store will host their official grand opening celebration on Thursday, Nov. 10. There will be giveaways and discounts for attendees of the event.

For more information about the store, visit www.facebook.com/apricotlanereno.