August Boutique Of The Month...AvaGrace Simsbury, CT

August 18, 2019Theo Pace

It’s quite obvious-I love to shop! I love to find great boutiques that offer unique items and I’m a true believer in supporting local businesses.

I like to take time in this blog to highlight some of my favorite haunts. Having been in retail for, well let’s just say, for a very long time, I hold the bar pretty high. I look for the things that I like to offer my clients both now (as a personal shopper and stylist) and when I managed stores in the past. I love a store and a team, that offers fabulous customer service, honesty, friendliness and genuine interest in my taste and lifestyle.

When I frequent a store it’s not just for the clothing and accessories - it’s the whole package I’m looking for! I want to feel confident when I recommend a store to a client or friend.

Before we moved to Florida we lived in a small town, West Granby, CT. Whenever we go back I MUST visit certain places. This months’ boutique of the month is one of them. I’m excited for you to meet Tracy, the owner of AvaGrace, not only does she have great taste but she is an incredibly kind and thoughtful person. There aren’t many places that I’ll go back to but her store is a must!

Please enjoy getting to know AvaGrace, and owner Tracy with our Q and A Session!

How long has AvaGrace been in business? How did you come up with the name?

This September will be my 5th year in business (OMG!!!) AvaGrace is named after my two children Ava & Grace. They are two of my gifts in my life...

Congratulations!!! 5 Years is quite an accomplishment!!

My Favorite Go To Jewelry is from AvaGrace!

You carry a beautiful collection of different things...from clothing to home decor. Have you always carried both?

When I first opened, I had a small store. I opened with Home Decor, Gift-ables, cards & accessories. I had wanted apparel, but didn’t have the room. I spent 18 months in my first quaint space. My current space is double the size of my first location. (I was thrilled!) I spent the first few months after opening searching for apparel to bring in, apparel arrived about 3 months after opening my second location. The demand and interest in apparel has grown and continues to grow month after month!

What is the mission behind AvaGrace?

The mission of my shop is to give you a beautiful, happy experience. “A Love of beautiful things” is my tag line and that is so true. I hope my customers walk in to AvaGrace and feel a sense of welcome, beauty & happiness. When a guest walks in to AvaGrace, we hope they feel a sense of OMG, I love this place… Everything from the music, lighting & of course the goods are intentionally selected to foster that mission of making you feel you are in a beautiful place. The Staff at AvaGrace is special too. We strive to make each guest feel welcomed and valued.

I certainly feel this way! I miss coming to see you! Thank goodness for UPS!!

Great shoes for Florida! I’m so glad Tracy ships!

What brought you to retail? Have you always been a retail lady? If not what was your prior career or area of study?

Retail was not my area of study. I am (and will always identify as) a nurse. I have a Bachelors degree in Nursing and spent over 20 years in my first loves field. I had a dream of opening a boutique for some time though. My Mom had a beautiful boutique in Naples, Florida that served as a catalyst to help me realize my dream. My oldest daughter Grace, who was 14 at the time, was the one who said “Mom, just do it! Stop talking about it, just do it!” (out of the mouths of babes…)

Smart Girls!!

What is a typical day like for the AvaGrace team?

Our days at the shop are filled with helping our customers select the perfect outfit, or gift for someone special, or what ever they are looking for. We also change up the shop every week. New merchandise arrives weekly, so we are always changing around. Our goal is that the shop isn’t exactly the same place twice.

What is one thing you think your customers should know about your store that they may not be aware of already?

We are not your average shop. We truly value every customer that walks in. What you select is special! I choose every single item, I purchase in small quantities, so that every item whether apparel or a special gift is truly SPECIAL. I also strive to buy items made in the USA.

Tell us about your little store mascot!

Our shop mascot is my sweet rescue dog Dixie! Dixie is a Rat Terrier rescued from Tennessee. She is sweet and welcoming to all visit.

What are your favorite lines-what do you mostly look for when shopping for your clients?

There are so many!! For Apparel, I love clothing that makes you feel beautiful, is easy to wear and is good quality. I search for lines that you may not see anywhere else. Some of our favorite line are Last Tango, Elliott Lauren, Gretchen Scott, Spanx, Bailey 44, Barefoot Dreams and super excited to announce that Joseph Ribkoff is coming to AvaGrace at the end of August! Some of my favorite accessory lines are LOLA, French Kande & E-newton.

I have always been so impressed with your enthusiasm and your genuine connection to your customers. You have so much energy-how do you do it? What do you do for downtime?

Thank you! I am a shopper too! I have been in many stores where no one even says hello or acknowledges you. I want every person to understand and feel that they are welcomed in the shop. I am a people person and genuinely enjoy talking with people. I have met so many new friends through the shop! I LOVE what I do. I believe that when you truly love what you do, it shows. My family and faith are what motivate and energize me to do what I do. Downtime for me is time with my family and exercising.

Love the Fall looks that are already in store! Check out that bag!!

What are some of the items you are most excited about going forward for Fall?

I can’t wait for the new apparel line Joseph Ribkoff!!!

I can’t wait to see this line! I’ll watch out for it on Instagram!

Who (or what) most inspires you when it comes to fashion and what you choose to carry at AvaGrace?

When I think of fashion icons that I admire, the commonality is beautiful, timeless pieces. While I love trying some fun edgy trends, I always lean towards well made beautiful pieces.

Love Jackie O She was always put together!

And for today I love Sarah Blakley. She is the founder of SPANX. I love that she gets Women.. Real Women. Those of use who aren’t 19, a size 0, have had children, have real lives and still want to look and feel good. She is an inspiration and an amazing business woman too.

Love these beautiful scarves in all the Fall trends…animal prints and plaids!

What are some of your must-haves? What do you recommend every woman who shops at AvaGrace try?

There are so many fabulous pieces this fall! Loving the Camo and animal prints. The fur leather handbags are a staple for sure! My favorite jeans are the Spanx Denim. Lola is my go-to for timeless necklaces. French Kande is my go to for statement pieces. MY favorite candle is the Persian Lime from Linneas Lights. Our Cashmere pieces are a MUST have!

What sizes do you carry?

We carry sizes 0-16 We can special order many other sizes as needed too!

You can find Ava Grace at 926 Hopmeadow St, Simsbury, CT.

Or online at AvaGrace Gifts, or Instagram AvaGrace and Facebook AvaGrace.

Hours: Monday-Wednesday and Friday 10-5:30, Thusday 10-7, Saturday 10-4

Phone: 860-658-4400