If you think you think national chains are the only kind of retailer found in malls, a new store coming to Meridian Mall in August will surprise you.
Franklin Vine, a women's accessory store in Ann Arbor's Briarwood Mall is opening a second location in Okemos.
"We were contacted by Meridian Mall telling us about a great location and opportunity that was available," says owner Nicole Pierce. "After months of thought and consideration we came to a conclusion that Meridian Mall would be a great location for Franklin Vine."
Pierce's story is nearly as unexpected than finding a small business in the mall. A graduate from Wayne State University in Life Science, Pierce couldn't find the job she wanted in her field, so she went from life science to retail science in 2011 with the opening of her first Franklin Vine.
Pierce says the 900 square foot store in Meridian Mall will offer shoppers shoes, handbags, jewelry, scarves, hats, and leggings that are fresh from big name designers.
"We hand-pick our pieces, traveling to New York and LA often looking for pieces that big box stores and other boutiques do not offer," Pierce says. "We try and avoid ordering online; we like to see it and touch it before we buy it. Often we will have trends before they are even a trend in chains stores."
Franklin Vine will open in the first week of August and will employ a staff of five. In addition to retail inventory, the shop offers in-store parties and styling services for events.
Source: Nicole Pierce, Franklin Vine
Writer: Natalie Burg, Development News Editor
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