bella blu Adds Second Shop in Old Town

One of Mid-Michigan’s favorite clothing shops, bella blu boutique, is opening a second location in Old Town Lansing.

Eastwood Towne Center is home to the first bella blu boutique, which has already expanded to meet customer demand. While the Eastwood Towne Center location is known for carrying high-end designer jeans, bella blu boutique's owner, Michelle Thelen, is taking her new store in a slightly different direction.

“We will have denim, but this store will not be denim-based,” Thelen says.

Thelen is extending into “eco wear,” clothing that’s produced using environmentally friendly methods and materials. Thelen says people typically think of yoga when they think eco-friendly clothing, but she’s going to offer a lot more than yoga pants.

“We’re trying to go for some fashion pieces,” Thelen says.

Thelen’s also going to sell “clothing with experience,”or high-end jeans and cocktail dresses. She says less than 20 percent of the store will include these items, but she sees a market in selling designer wear that’s only been worn once or twice.

“We want to be really picky,” Thelen says.

Thelen hopes her move to Old Town will draw her customer base—which is used to shopping in Eastwood Towne Center and other commercial locations—to Old Town.

“I just want to bring a little more attention to the area,” she says.

The new store, bella blu II boutique, is at 1219 Turner Street, next to the Bello Rio salon. Thelen says the store should open within weeks.

Source: Michelle Thelen, bella blu boutique

Ivy Hughes, development news editor, can be reached here. 

All Photographs © Dave Trumpie