Business Spotlight

Accessories Boutique Joins Downtown Kirkwood Shopping Scene

With less than a month under its belt, Kirkwood's Sparkle is seeing success.

The location of Sparkle Boutique near the intersection of South Kirkwood Road and Monroe Avenue puts owner Diana Slay exactly where she wants to be. Slay opened Sparkle Aug. 22, and already she is seeing success in Downtown Kirkwood at 217 South Kirkwood Rd. "The foot traffic's been great. We've had a lot of activity," she said, adding the location is a perfect spot to catch the eye of drivers. Sparkle is a boutique store that sells accessories and gifts. The business carries fashion items like purses, hats, sunglasses and jewelry but also gift items like candles and soap. Many of the products are locally made. "With so many little boutiques around, it seems like Kirkwood's become the destination for specialty shops," Slay said. "I figured…

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Business Spotlight

East + West Brings Men's Fashion to Downtown Kirkwood

How Kirkwood's newest fashion boutique aims to deliver St. Louis men a unique shopping experience.

Emerging men's designers on the East and West coasts don't have a lot of exposure in St. Louis, according to Brian Simpson, owner of East + West. The 28 year old who grew up in the Kirkwood area is on a mission to change that.  Formerly a financial planner, Simpson recently opened East + West in the heart of Downtown Kirkwood with his wife Lauren. The boutique is one of the few in St. Louis catered toward men's fashion. "I wanted to create an atmosphere and culture that’s comfortable for guys to come into," Simpson said. "What I’ve tried to do is have a very antique Americana feel to the store with a lot of industrial metal and antique wood. It's designed in a setting that feels like a guy’s store." East + West will focus on delivering …

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Fashion Friday: Fun, Summer Fashion Trends from Head-to-Toe

This week, we take a look at some of the season's hottest new trends in clothing, shoes and accessories from one of the area's newest boutiques.

Looking for some of the hottest trends in summer fashions, shoes and accessories? Chances are you'll find them at one of the area's newest shops — Toulon Boutique in Webster Groves. The new shop recently opened in the same location that was formerly Jennie Annie’s. It's a women’s clothing boutique named after a small, port city in France known for its affordability, relaxed atmosphere and fun. Although there are still a few novelty gift items in the store left over from the purchase of the boutique, Toulon sells a variety of unique, fashions appropriate for all ages. Brands the new store carries include Angie, Radzoli, Nikibiki, OOFOS, Lindsay Phillips Switch Flops and yoga wear by Omala and Twist. Toulon also carries locally owned Before …

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