Shop Spotlight v7 + A Giveaway: Aimee

1. Tell us about your business?

Aimee is a true boutique experience that offers a range of high-end clothing and accessories. Weekly arrivals of some of the most beautiful and distinct, ultra-stylish and feminine pieces keep this darling little dress shop filled with lots of items for everyone. We offer many quaint European lines that are found in some of the most exclusive shops around the world. Each line has a very distinct style in all pieces that are selected for the store. With up to 20 brands carried in the store at one time, we maintain a certain aesthetic in all pieces that are selected for each season’s assortment. Over the last 7 years, aimée has evolved into a comfortable social haven for women (and men) who take a little time out of their hectic day to stop by and enjoy some wine and good conversation!

2. How did you start your business and when?

I stumbled upon the vacant building while my husband and I were taking a walk through the East Village, I looked through the window and was able to picture the perfect boutique exactly how I had always pictured it. For me, the space was the reason I started my business, it inspired me to do what I had always dreamed of doing. We just celebrated the 7 year birthday of aimee on the first day of December! It is a true blessing to be able to say that!

3. Where are you located? What made you choose the location you are at?

We are located at 432 E. Locust St., right in the heart of East Village. Locust & 5th St.

4. Why do you think customers should shop locally?

Customers who are looking for something unique and driven by quality -- small businesses always stand behind their products and truly believe in what they are selling! By supporting the local small businesses; we as a community can create jobs, retain more of the wealth in our community and stably grow our economy.

5. Does your business provide any special services to customers?

Just this month we started doing Closet Styling! Many women have closets full of beautiful pieces, but don’t always know how to put them together and create an essential look. That’s where we would be delighted to help! It’s what we love to do and what we do everyday at the store. You can read more about it on our website at www.aimeeeastvillage.com. In addition, we do have some other fun services that will be available next year.

6. What do you think sets you apart from other similar businesses?

It is of most importance that I truly love the article of clothing on each individual lady, otherwise she doesn't take it home with her. I am soley here to make sure each person who comes into my store, goes out my door with a truly amazing piece that looks fabulous on her! I don't sell a garment to sell....it has to be for the right person. You won't be told, "That's soo cute!" When it clearly is not! Another major thing that sets us apart is that we only purchase 1 of each size of every style that arrives in the store, therefore, the ladies who shop here will know that they will not show up wearing the same thing as someone else.

7. What do you think the benefits are from having a brick and mortar shop opposed to selling online?

As mentioned above, the number one thing about this store is exclusivity and the specialness of each piece and ultimately the personal experience that you receive when you come into the store. With online shopping you just don't get that same benefit! We, however, are not opposed to doing online ordering - we post all our new product on Facebook at www.facebook.com/aimeestyle as it comes in and people call us to order over the phone and then we ship them out their order.

8. What is your ideal go-to winter outfit?

A turtleneck layered under a dress with a pair of tights and boots! Layers!

9. Tell me about some of your favorite pieces of clothing that you have picked for your boutique?

ALL of them!! I am very passionate about every piece that I bring into the store, however, I guess I would have to say that some of the pieces that just debuted from a new line we are carrying out of London....those might just be my current faves, with a few others popped in!





10. Is there anything else you'd like to say?

THANK YOU to Shop Local for highlighting us on your blog! We love it and will continue to read! XO

Now, for our first giveaway EVER on this blog, giveaway winner will be announced on our facebook page, in this post, and contacted through e-mail. Don't forget to click the "DO THIS" button after every entry to make sure your entry counts!



Enter below:


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Shop Spotlight v6: Hill Vintage

Tell us about your business?

Hill Vintage sells vintage women's, men's, and a limited amount of children's clothing---as well as housewares and accessories. Our motto is "clothing the beautiful and broke one person at at a time" and this is really something that is important to our business. We love being able to pair vintage clothing with modern fashion and we want to pass that on to our customers.

How did you start your business and when?

Hill Vintage started over a year ago out of friendship and a common love of vintage clothing. Oh yeah and the need to de-hoard our own closets.

Why do you think customers should shop local?

There are so many reasons why shopping locally is important. Specifically for Hill Vintage we are in the business of recycling clothing and cutting down on waste so it only makes sense to keep it within the community and support those around you. We also follow the notion that shopping locally helps to stimulate the local economy making Des Moines a better place to live and boy do we ever love this place. Also we love love love seeing Hill Vintage out and about on the streets of this fair city.

Does your business provide any special services to customers? (i.e. alterations, lending for events, rentals, etc.)

During the winter when Hill Vintage operates from our Etsy store we offer free delivery to those we live in the Des Moines metro area. We also assist our customers in how to modernize their vintage.


What do you think sets you apart from other similar businesses?

Each business has an individual style and it shows in our collections. Our own personal styles are represented in the clothing that we sell at Hill Vintage and our minds are open and our imaginations vast. We buy what we like and what we envision to be a fashion forward outfit.

What do you think the benefits are from selling from a trailer?

The benefits of selling from our trailer, Heidi are that we have been able to bring something fresh and fun to Des Moines and it has given us the ability to grow our business. Meeting new customers and making new friends is what we value most about Hill Vintage and the trailer is definitely a conversation piece.

Tell me about some of your favorite vintage pieces you have acquired.

Jessica found this amazing ski jacket from the late 70's full of vintage patches. Did you know Des Moines used to have a ski club?? According the right breast of this jacket it did. Each patch tells a story of someone's skiing adventures around the country and we got to intepret it! Pretty cool if you ask us!

Then of course our 1964 Yellowstone Camper Trailer, Heidi. We found her on Craigslist for a steal so that makes it thrifted...right? Besides the obvious reasons we love Heidi we also love the people that we purchased her from. A nice couple south of Des Moines who were very open about their lives and their history with our Heidi. And this readers is why we love doing and being a part of Hill Vintage.

Is there anything else you’d like to say?

Thanks Shop Local Des Moines for all that you do and thank you for reading. It was great to meet you!

xoxo, erica and jessica

Etsy Shop

Facebook

Twitter

Shop Spotlight v4: Midwest Pet Paintings

Tell us about your business.

I have been searching for some time to find the appropriate supplement to my career (as a graphic designer) that would appease my need to create. My lifelong love for animals, and talent for painting led me to a pretty obvious choice: Pet paintings! I have started to build up a personal collection of these creations and I am excited to offer them to the public. I create portraits of your favorite pet on canvas with primarily acrylic as the medium. I have done many smaller paintings that work well for people on a budget, and more and more I am able to work on some larger pieces to fit a custom area in the client's home. I truly revere every animal I have ever met, so it has been so fun for me to get to see photos and hear the stories of the pets that have touched other people's lives. The best part is helping to honor those animals who are a real part of people's families.

How did you start your business and when?

I started the business 2010 when my husband was deployed in Afghanistan. One evening after my daughter was asleep I had the urge to create, and I was on facebook and noticed a stunning photo of my friend's boston terrier. I have traditionally been a abstract artist, but I thought I would give painting an animal subject a try. I had so much fun painting the dog that I stayed up and just kept going. I set up a website shortly after that, and to my surprise I started getting orders! The business has taken off in the past 4 months, and I have really enjoyed every minute of it!

Why do you think customers should shop local?

I think that with purchasing custom art, the best part is being able to meet the artist and actually have them personally give you the art. The personal connection of meeting the people I am creating the art for is really inspiring to me. There are some obvious benefits such as stimulating our local economy, which is important, but I find that the benefit of knowing that you can call or stop by if you need anything is pretty neat. I have a mentality as well, that if my client isn't happy, then I am most definitely not happy-- I have found with many of the local stores in Des Moines that they have the same mindset. Local business owners work very hard for their business and are truly passionate about what they do, making it so fun to support them as a consumer.

Does your business provide any special services to customers?

Absolutely, as everything I do is completely custom. I find it is beneficial to be able to have a phone call, series of emails ,or meeting before starting any piece. I will work with my customer to make sure they are getting exactly what they had in mind. I also can paint on any surface, I have an old window that is waiting for me to paint a cat in it!

What do you think sets you apart from other similar businesses?

I think that my niche of pet paintings is something that has definitely been done, so I am striving to offer exemplary customer service and quality at an affordable price. I do a custom quote for every piece, and I want to make sure that what I create is something that not only will be cherished for years, but is also based on a price-point that is reasonable for each individual. The reason I really pushed to get my business going was because I heard from a lot of people, that they would love a painting... but they just cant afford it! I am working hard to change that thought process by working with the customer to find a way to create something they will love and can afford. I truly do love animals and creating this art, and I have found with my past dealings with business owners that is it a lot more fun to work with someone who adores what they do.

What do you think the benefits are for selling online? Have you thought of opening up a brick and mortar shop?

Online is something that is definitely a great way to get started, the cost of putting an item up online is very low, which allows me to keep my prices low. I often miss that personal connect of actually meeting the person that I am creating the art for, but at this point that has been my only negative point. I absolutely have a dream of opening a physical shop, I think that every artist does. I think that a great fit would be to open a small studio that maybe also sells fun pet gifts and supplies. I would adore the ability to interact with customers every day who share the same interests as I do.

Tell me about some of your favorite portraits you’ve done.

Although my pet menagerie features two small fluffy pups I have a soft spot for the bully breeds. Their faces are so soulful and tell a million stories. Any portrait that I get to do of any of those breeds is always fun! My favorites have been gifts that people have ordered for significant others or family members. It is so fun to get that follow up email or call letting me know how much they loved it.

Etsy
Website
Facebook