Skip the Trip

by Patty Marr

Why drive to Raleigh when we have women owned specialty shops right here in Greenville where you’ll find that customer service is Queen.  #shoplocal

Looking for something unique?  Check out these Top Shops in this issue’s Spotlight on Arlington Village.

Fun fact:  Arlington Village was established
in 1984 as Patrick’s Plaza.

“Life doesn’t stop when you’re pregnant. The last thing you need to worry about is:  What am I going to wear?” says BabyBump co-owner Kaysi Kallweit.

BabyBump co-owners Kaysi Kallweit and Lauren Robinson know this frustration all too well.  They were both pregnant with baby #2 when the concept of BabyBump was born.  Being mamas gives Kaysi and Lauren a unique ability to meet other mamas’ needs. 

BabyBump boasts a plethora of all things pregnancy and baby including:

• Maternity apparel
• Nursing apparel
• Maternity accessories such as pillows, diaper bags, teething necklaces, maternity support belts (highly recommended), and more…
• Furniture for the nursery
• Community Events including:  Tiny Tot Yoga, Storytime, and Music Together

In addition to the vast assortment that BabyBump has to offer, what makes BabyBump unique is their expertise and the personal shopping experience they provide.  

Kaysi and Lauren know moms are busy.  “Pregnancy is a beautiful thing but it’s a lot of work.  When you come here, we take that stress away.”

BabyBump is a fun, safe place to shop.  They cover all the bases.  Stop by today and bring the kids!

Monza’s Xtra Special has been serving our community for 38 years!  She opened in the mall in August of 1980 and moved to Arlington Village in 1993. 

Monza’s offers clothes that give you the “complete look” that makes you look and feel beautiful.

Monza’s Xtra Special helps women celebrate their curves with unique apparel in sizes ranging from Large to 3X.  

This boutique is for women who think outside the box when it comes to dressing.  They don’t want to look like everybody else.  They have presence.

What makes Monza’s Xtra Special so special?  You guessed it.  Monza!  

Kim Edwards of Winterville says:  “It’s her personal touch and honesty.  It’s a relationship.  She pushes me outside my comfort zone.  The clothes are chic, sexy and comfortable and my look is always unique.    Monza makes shopping fun!”

Xtra Special is definitely a personal shopping experience.  Just tell Monza what you need and she is off and running!  She ducks and dodges around racks of clothes putting outfits together for any and every occasion.  And when you come out of the dressing room, if she doesn’t like what she sees, she will tell you.  And then she will go find you something that works.  

“People want help.  People spend all day in front of computers.  People want personal interaction.  That’s why boutique specialty stores have maintained” says Monza.

 A tip from Monza:  “Good clothes are an investment and you should have 3-4 tops for every pair of pants.”

Pay Monza a visit and find out how much fun finding the perfect outfit can be!

On a tour of Italy, new owner Kim Sayers had her first exposure to “really good olive oil”.  When she returned to the states, she discovered that the really good oils are hard to find. 

This, coupled with a desire for a new adventure, led Kim to purchase 692 Olive.  No easy feat for a wife and mother of four boys. 

Kim’s new venture, 692 Olive, soon to become Simply Divine Oil & Wine, showcases not only the finest olive oils, balsamic vinegars, and a new selection of Italian wines but also an assortment of locally sourced products as well including:

• Lanoca coffee
• Local artist pottery
• Chips & dips
• Ladyfingers
• And more…

What makes Simply Divine Oil & Wine unique is the quality of the oils.  Kim chooses oils that have the latest crush date, are high in biophenols and oleic acid, and are low in peroxide.  They also come from one country / one press as opposed to most grocery store oils that are a combination from 2-3 countries. 

Kim has a wide variety of gift items and seasonal products that can be combined to make the perfect gift basket.  She has an online store and shipping is available. 

As part of her rebranding, Kim is opening a wine bar to provide a gathering place where friends can spend time together while enjoying all that Simply Divine Oil & Wine has to offer.

The space is also available for events including:
• Supper clubs
• Bunco
• Parties
• Book clubs
• And more…

Come in to taste the vast selection of oils and balsamics, meet Kim and find out what’s coming up.

What we now know as It’s Sew Wright began in 2006 when owner Tammy Wright began a monogramming business in her home.  Tammy moved into retail space in Lynndale Shoppes in May 2008 when the business quickly grew from primarily monogramming into a monogramming and gift boutique.  The business outgrew that space and then another and is now in its second location in Arlington Village.   

Tammy says the key to her success and growth is customer service.  Knowing her customers and meeting their needs is what it’s all about.  “We have very loyal customers.  Some have been with me from the very beginning.”  

What makes It’s Sew Wright unique is its family atmosphere.  It’s Sew Wright is a family owned and operated boutique.  Every member of the Wright family has played a part in the business throughout the years.  Tammy’s daughter Macie has grown up in the store and still loves working there.  Pictures of Tammy’s beautiful twin granddaughters scattered throughout the shop make customers feel like part of the family too. 

It’s Sew Wright offers a wide variety of home accessories, baby apparel and accessories, jewelry, and much more.  Gift giving and getting is made easy with their registries and lists including:

• Baby registry
• Wedding registry
• Graduation lists
• Wish list

You’ll find a huge selection of gift items including items from top brands such as Coton Colors, Spartina, and Scout.  Monogramming is still available for items bought in the shop. 

Stop by It’s Sew Wright today for a wonderful shopping experience!