By: Deborah Johnson Wood
It's a good thing Brynne Roberts and Stacy Schuster like to shop. They've traveled to designer shows all over the country to get just the right styles for the customers they hope will flock to Muse, their new boutique in the East Hills neighborhood.
Roberts, 35, and Schuster, 36, met at Calvin College and, for years, the women have talked about opening a shop together. But while Roberts stayed in Grand Rapids, Schuster moved to Denver for 11 years. It wasn't until she moved back that the women could make their dream come true.
"We've gone to LA and New York to buy for the store," Roberts says. "We wanted to create a big city neighborhood boutique like those in Chicago or Denver neighborhoods, where women can find great clothes to wear for a night out or to work, or where they can find a great gift for a girlfriend."
Muse is Grand Rapids' exclusive location for Joe's Jeans, Genetic Denim, Ella Moss, and Anlo. Besides hip clothing, shoppers will find trendy handbags, belts, jewelry, watches, scarves, and wallets. One section of the store even has a selection of unique infant wear.
Because the 1,600-square-foot shop is in a LEED-certified building, the owners have been looking for high-quality green clothing lines.
"We've been picking up organic and recycled hip, fun brands to play into our 'greenness,'" Roberts says with a laugh. "There's some cool high-end stuff out there, it's not all hemp goods. We've gone to several shows to choose something really great for women in Grand Rapids."
A grand opening event is planned for March 1 and 2.
Source: Brynne Roberts, Muse; Ellie Frey, Second Story Properties
Deborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at [email protected].
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