Women’s boutique opens in Meadowood Mall

A new boutique has joined the collection of stores at the Meadowood Mall.

Apricot Lane Boutique opened for business on Thursday, Oct. 27 in a 2,300-square-foot store located in the 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.

“I am so excited to open Apricot Lane in this area as I know there are many places to choose from already but none that bring fashion-forward looks at affordable prices and in limited quantities unlike the larger retail chains,” Star Anderson, the owner of the Reno store said in a recent press release.

Anderson 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 she 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 phone interview with NNBW.

She 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. After extensive research, she decided opening an Apricot Lane franchise in Reno was the best business venture 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 Boutiques allows each storeowner 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.

Her 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.

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 employees eight employees and Anderson said she is looking to fill two more part-time positions.

For the store’s soft opening, customers received 20 percent off their entire purchase and attendees had the opportunity to enter raffles and a chance to win a $200 shopping spree.

The store will also host a ribbon cutting ceremony with the Chamber of Commerce on Nov. 3 and they will host their official grand opening celebration on Nov. 10. There will be similar giveaways and discounts at those events.

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