Category Archives: Franchise

15 Gingham Looks For You To Try This Summer

Gingham is still hanging on as a top trend this summer. This is one of those prints that never really disappears. The stars have hit the streets this summer in various ways showing off this pretty, preppy and playful style. Below are some inspiration for you to get out there and try! Taylor-Swift-gingham Image Source: Glamour Magazine Vanessa-Hudgens-gingham- Image Source: Glamour Magazine Street-Style-Constance-Jablonski-Gingham Image Source: Bea Hive Blog Street-Style-gingum Image Source: Pinterest Woman Posing Image Source: Pinterest Woman Posing 2 Image Source: Glamour Magazine Woman Posing 3 Image Source: Pinterest Gingham-Clothes-Street-Style-Chics-1 Image Source: Fashion Gum Gingham-Clothes-Street-Style-Chics-5 Image Source: Fashion Gum Gingham-Clothes-Street-Style-Chics-13 Image Source: Fashion Gum Gingham-Clothes-Street-Style-Chics-14 Image Source: Fashion Gum Gingham-Clothes-Street-Style-Chics-18 Image Source: Fashion Gum coachella-street-style-2014-16_113821864813 Image Source: The LT Blog Alexa-Chung-gingham Image Source: Glamour Magazine Woman Posing 5 Image Source: Gold Coast Girl Blog

Mother-daughter duo opens Apricot Lane Boutique on St. Armands

Apricot Lane Boutique in St. Armand's Circle.  STAFF PHOTO / NICK ADAMS
Apricot Lane Boutique in St. Armand’s Circle. STAFF PHOTO / NICK ADAMS

Meet the new millennial friendly boutique on St. Armands Circle.

What’s millennial friendly, you might ask? (As one of newsroom’s gen xers did.)

  1. I would shop there.
  2. My credit card wouldn’t be too furious that I shopped there.
  3. I’d still look great even without my credit card screaming.
  4. I caught myself eyeing the merchandise (specifically, this very textured, mauve dress) looming in the background as I was interviewing the shop owners.
  5. I’m really thinking about going back and trying it on.
  6. As in, I’ve been thinking about it all afternoon.
  7. (You know, like when you see a doughnut, and you want a doughnut, and don’t take the doughnut, but then still think about the doughnut all day?)
  8. That dress and this boutique is my doughnut.

OK. On to the real story.

Ginger O’Connor launched an Apricot Lane Boutique this weekend at 464 John Ringling Blvd. near Naples Soap Company and the Blue Dolphin Café.

She’s outfitted the 1,700-square-foot shop with racks of brightly colored, chic but fun clothing and tables of accessories. The goal is to appeal to a variety of ages and price points, and she’s teamed up with her 25-year-old daughter, Melanie, the store’s manager, to make it happen.

(No wonder it’s millennial friendly, a millennial is part of the team running the show.)

Ginger O'Connor and her daughter, Melanie, left, opened Apricot Lane Boutique in St. Armand's Circle.  STAFF PHOTO / NICK ADAMS
Ginger O’Connor and her daughter, Melanie, left, opened Apricot Lane Boutique in St. Armand’s Circle. STAFF PHOTO / NICK ADAMS

They’ve searched the markets in New York, Los Angeles and Miami and sought-out up-and-coming designers.

The emphasis is on quality and affordability whether it’s for a day at the beach, a night at the club or a morning yoga class.

The O’Connors have some names on their shelves that shoppers will recognize, such as analili, but many of their labels are new finds, and in a true boutique fashion they’ve only purchased a few of each style.

Apricot Lane Boutique has a few dresses that reach upwards of $100, but she can also outfit her customers with a whole outfit — including shoes and accessories — for about that same price.

See I told you my credit card wouldn’t be too mad at me.

And that dress I’m dreaming about (or, as I’m now affectionately calling it — my doughnut) was only $66.

Originally posted in Unravel

 

South Florida Business Owner Supports May’s Lupus Awareness Month

Full Size Render

DELRAY BEACH, FL- Apricot Lane Boutique owner, Barry Shapiro runs his South Florida locations along with his son Matt Shapiro, going to work together and creating a truly a modern day family business. Sharing his expertise in the retail world with him in hopes he can take over the successful businesses they have created one day- perhaps a Father’s Dream. As impressed as Shapiro is with his son’s dedication and determination to the business it was in fact a circumstance outside the boutique that created the most sense of pride.

As many customers of Shapiro’s South Florida stores may know, May is the most important month for this family, Lupus Awareness is the families greatest charitable mission. Developing in store events such as the Girls Night Out Parties where ALL proceeds from the evening were matched by Shapiro and 100% donated to the Lupus Foundation of America South Florida Chapter. The store also is giving a free summer tote bag to anyone making a $10 donation in store. Straight donations can be made to his personal page at this link as well. 

Personally touched by this disease after Shapiro’s youngest son Jeff was diagnosed with Lupus, it was in fact in 2014 when he needed a kidney transplant as a complication of this disease. Shapiro’s oldest son and work companion, Matt Shapiro donated that kidney to his brother after discovering he was a perfect match. Without a second thought, and of course an excused leave from the family business, the family became closer then ever imaginable. “Phyllis and I are incredibly proud of our children for the men they have become but overwhelmed by their bravery in the face of such unexpected adversity.” explained Shapiro. “It is an absolute nightmare to see your children laying side by side in a hospital waiting with each other to go in for major organ transplant surgery.  This disease which affects 1.5 million Americans and over 100,000 of them here in Florida needs a voice. On a day like that day in the hospital Phyllis and I knew that we needed to be among those shouting out the need for awareness.” He continued.

"Working with our son every single day, going to retail shows buying together and building our business together truly makes it feel like its Father's Day every day of the year. It is an amazing gift” explained Shapiro. “Now the opportunity to use our business to help spread the word about Lupus and raise money is what being a business owner is all about,” said Shapiro.

Jeff Shapiro is now living in North Carolina, healthy and thriving thanks to the dedication of family.

Apricot Lane multi-store owner Shapiro comes from an extensive resume in the retail industry. Holding positions such as President of Retail Division for Perry Ellis International. Sr. VP of Operations for Chicos, Sr. VP and Director of Stores for Saks 5th Ave Outlets, Executive VP of Operations for Ann Taylor and Regional Vice President for Lord and Taylor. He chose to open Apricot Lane and go the franchise route after a lifetime in corporate America because he liked the plans in place for the flexibility and his own ability to buy based on demographics and customer requests, ability to support causes important to him and potential to host events that give back in his community.

Apricot Lane’s in South Florida features trend setting fashion apparel, jewelry, shoes, handbags, and accessories to create must have high fashion looks for an affordable price for both mothers and daughters, teens through 50’s looking for cutting edge styles and promises to embody all the characteristics that appeal to shoppers: a great selection of apparel and accessories, a warm and welcoming environment, and genuine, honest customer service and style advice. Whether someone is looking for a great pair of jeans to create a casual look, or a classy outfit to enjoy a night out on the town, Apricot Lane has the brands and accessories to express an individual’s style.

About Apricot Lane Boutique:

Apricot Lane is a member of the popular Country Visions, Inc. franchise, specializing in offering a high variety of fashion-forward styles, accessories and gift items at affordable prices. The franchise offers a new mix of merchandise both online and in-store, and offers customers the ability to build a unique style.  Approaching system wide sales of $50 million and growing at a pace of 20-30 stores per year provides new resources and opportunities system wide that will keep Apricot Lane Boutique on top as a fashion trend leader and top retail franchise.

 

Contact: Stacey Graham Stacey@sgprgroup.com 310.343.0451

Fresh Ways To Style Your Denim Shorts This Summer

If you don't have some frayed jean shorts to rock this summer you better come to Apricot Lane Boutique to get your fix! We have some cool ways for you to style your denim shorts below!

Distressed Denim Shorts + Graphic T-Shirt

woman posing Image Source: Mexiquer.com Summer-Outfits-171 Image Source: JustTheDesign.com woman posing 2 Image Source: Pinterest.com 

Distressed or Cuffed Shorts + Striped Top

woman posing 3

Image Source: Sazan 1.-striped-top-with-denim-shorts-and-edgy-boots Image Source: Glam Radar woman posing 4 Image Source: Wheretogetit Off-The-Shoulder-Outfits-21 Image Source: JustTheDesign

Frayed or Distressed Jean Shorts + Oversized White Button Up

woman posing 5 Image Source: Pinterest.com  dress-shirt-shorts-pumps-hat-watch-bracelet-large-10816 Image Source: Pinterest.com woman posing 6 Image Source: SongOfStyle woman posing 7 Image Source: Pinterest.com 

Boyfriend or Frayed Jean Shorts + Blazer

Distressed-Jeans9

Image Source: JustTheDesign woman posing 8 Image Source: CrystalinMarie.com Shorts-For-Fall-Outfit Image Source: FashionTasty.com  Poppy Delevingne paseando por Londres 05 SEP 2013 - LONDON - UK POPPY DELEVINGNE ARRIVING FOR MADE IN CHELSEA STAR HUGO TAYLOR'S TAYLOR MORRIS SUNGLASSES LAUNCH PARTY IN CHELSEA! 235/cordo npress sck Image Source: LeFashion

Jean Shorts + Light Jacket With or Without Sleeves

woman posing 9 Image Source: Pinterest.com jean-shorts-outfit-idea-the-blonde-salad Image Source: Glamour What-To-Wear-With-Ripped-Jeans-10 Image Source: Pinterest.com Summer-Outfits-186 Image Source: JustTheDesign