Boutique spreads wings to include expanded cross-generational selection, maintain exclusivity.
SARATOGA SPRINGS – The Bird of Paradise Boutique, nested in a renovated Victorian Mansion of the 1800s, quietly changed ownership in September 2013. Maintaining the classic charm and character, Connie Redgrave, the boutique’s owner, plans to reach for a cross-generational appeal in her first-floor showroom.
"If you love it the first time, you’re going to love it again" was not an assertion of the store owner, but of an older sibling to her sister entering the dramatic doors of Grant Plaza on Woodlawn Avenue. They came to look for a dress earlier that day. However, it is also a sentiment Redgrave and Denise Eliopulos, owner of Something Bleu Bridal, want customers to have toward the boutique and the products it has always offered.
The knot that tied Something Bleu and Bird of Paradise under one roof, after having been on Broadway and later in Grant Plaza, still remains as an interlaced network maintaining the overall character of the business. The relationship will continue to serve as a tool for receiving the generations of customers that flock to the boutique, pair them with that one-of-a-kind dress, and to refer customers between stores.
"We have always networked back and forth," Eliopulos said. "A perfect marriage, no pun intended."
Love At First Dress
Just as Something Bleu Bridal was the result of Eliopulos’ search for a bridal gown in 1994, Redgrave first became acquainted with the boutique five years ago when she herself was looking for a wedding gown.
The first acquaintance later became a part-time job and eventually led to Redgrave acquiring Bird of Paradise Boutique.
"I didn't know that this was going to come along, but it just seemed that every piece of the puzzle just fell into place absolutely beautifully," Redgrave said. "I just loved working in the ambiance and under the philosophy of how she approached her customer."
Redgrave, transitioning from a schoolteacher of 34 years to an entrepreneur, had assistance from the staff that is still employed between the two companies that not only support the other’s business efforts but refer parties between them.
"They are present for me daily because the learning curve has been huge," she said. "So, without her support and without her being right there as my consultant, this would've been much more challenging".
One Style, One Girl, One Prom
Kirsten Alonzo, a senior at Mechanicville High School, visited Bird of Paradise Boutique once more before heading home. It was a prom dress she was after: the one she had picked out and tried on earlier that day. Some occasions call for extra measures. It is prom season, after all, and that means the end of a transaction is likely marked by an entry in a log book recording the dress, its line and location of the prom.
The result is that the unique dress lines have been a draw for women as far as Vermont and areas around the county for the time that the boutique has been in business.
"They all want to be first to get ‘the’ dress because our philosophy is one style of dress per high school; so we don't duplicate. We keep track in a log. The girls are very anxious to get their dress first."
The added assurance that no one else would show up to Mechanicville with that exact prom dress helped close the deal, and it is the kind of deal for which many are willing to make the drive.
Both stores have a long history of girls coming in to pick out their prom dresses who later come back to look for a wedding gown.
"We want that exclusivity," Redgrave said. "We want a little bit unique, special dress, so that it's not seen everywhere, for everyone".
Tying The Knot
Exclusivity between customers and the boutique not only exists in this relationship, but also up the line to include both retailers and the lines from which they buy.
It remains the initiative of both boutiques to buy from lines that limit their sales to loyal retailers. By way of bottlenecking which dress lines become available in a particular area, retailers like Bird of Paradise Boutique and Something Bleu Bridal had to establish themselves as authorized representatives of the lines they carry.
"Which means not every store can go there and buy from them. We have good relationships with our companies; so, we have people (the companies that sell the dress lines) that know and respect us and what we're looking to sell," Eliopulos said. "It's important."
The Reception
The grand reopening of Bird of Paradise Boutique will be held February 6 at Grant Plaza 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Australian designer, Lyn Morgan, whose line is exclusively available at Bird of Paradise Boutique, will be at the showcase of dresses. Catering services will be provided by The Lily and the Rose replete with hors d’oeuvres and champagne.
Those intending to attend are encouraged to RSVP by calling 518 - 886 – 8777.
A Growing Family
As early as next week, Something Bleu Bridal will expand to the first floor of the Grant Plaza on Woodlawn Avenue, but its main showroom will remain on the second floor. This expansion is planned to receive brides and their parties across the hall from Bird of Paradise Boutique.
