Chic fashion boutiques: a growing Anchorage market.

• Author: McCausland, Meghan
• Position: Special Section: SMALL BUSINESS

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In the last five years there has been a growth in niche fashion boutiques in Anchorage. Larger chains such as Nordstrom, JCPenney and Abercrombie and Fitch have primarily dominated the retail market this far north. However, in Anchorage, small business owners are taking on large retail stores by setting up shops all over town.

"I think that the more businesses we have in our town, the better off we all are. Everyone loves a variety and selection," says Haley Welsome, owner of Blush Boutique.

A group of local Anchorage women agreed and saw the potential to expand the retail clothing market. Prompted by their personal passions for fashion, these women have worked tirelessly to bring style to Alaska.

The boutique owners are predominantly female entrepreneurs who are carving out their place in Alaska's retail market. Each owner has introduced an individualized eye for style that gives each boutique its own personality. Whether it's shoes, designer jeans, handcrafted Alaska handbags or T-shirts, all boutiques strive to bring something unique, fashionable and high quality to the local shoppers, they say.

BOLD WOMEN CARVING THEIR NICHE

Annie Ciszak, the 28-year-old owner of Bella Boutique, saw that, "there wasn't a shop like this in town." The small store, stuffed to the brim with indie goodies, opened its doors in 2007 bent on offering only handcrafted products. The business has been successful in its colorful and brightly lit space on Spenard Road. Ciszak says she loves that her boutique offers her the opportunity to, "get to deal directly with artists. For some it's their full-time job and some are stay-at-home morns." Ciszakjudges her potential products with the artistic eye of a jeweler bringing in only what is special, such as silk-screened ties.

Brett Ricker is one of the managers for Her Tern, a small shoe and accessory boutique downtown that opened in 2005. Though the store is connected to Skinny Raven, Ricker and Co-Manager Ashley Munson have the run of the place. "We do all the fun parts, we do all the buying for the store," Ricker says. They also help plan the store's advertising and contribute to Her Tern's blog, as well as connect with customers daily on a personal level. Ricker says she's found, "the typical Alaskan shopper isn't used to independently owned stores."

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Therefore both women strive to create a less threatening atmosphere. "We know all of our customers," Ricker says. "We have...