Fall Market - Part 2

It was really exciting to wake up on Sunday morning already in NYC instead of on a train.  And to know that I had all day to spend at market as well as a good part of the following day!  I love breakfast (probably my favorite meal of the day) so I started out with a hearty one (since I never know when I will have time to eat at market).  I am not one who normally takes pictures of food but imagine a spread of eggs, bacon, toast, cranberry juice and coffee! 

The first challenge would be getting to the Javits Convention Center, one of the two market locations.  Fortunately, I quickly hailed a cab just outside the Algonquin and was on my way.  Sunday mornings are so peaceful in NYC!  But the cabs were busy - check out this scene from the drop off point!

After registering and checking my coat (another first - I had always just kept it with me the whole day), I was off to explore!  I had intentionally scheduled my first appointment for 10 am (the market opens at 9) so that I could walk around a bit.  My first focus - finding a great sweater company to outfit Zoe's customers for Fall!  Just in the two years I've been open, two of the sweater lines that I carried have either stopped producing or have stopped attending the shows.  So I needed to find a replacement.  I had also had the young lady who does Zoe's social media ask Zoe's followers to provide feedback on sweaters so I was armed with that good information!  Fortunately, I found one that I love within about 20 minutes!

After I finished writing the order there, I was off to my appointments - I was booked solid through 4 pm.  What did I see?  Lots of black and white (already a strong trend for Spring), Color blocking, Peplums, lots of leather accents, and beautiful red/black/camel combos.  And as I've mentioned before, I love seeing my reps!  A few pictures from the day.

Black and White at Rebecca Taylor

Red/Black/Camel (with leather) at Alice & Trixie

My fabulous rep, Maye (read about her first introduction to me here)

Stylish find from Tracy Reese - it always great when they have a model in the booth who can show you exactly what the piece looks like on a human figure!

Loved this trench coat at Contrarian

Also loved Contrarian's gorgeous purple flowers!

I was seeing so many beautiful colors and styles!  But I was also really feeling my ongoing sinus problem in the form of a painful sinus headache.  I took a quick break to get an Americano from the Starbucks kiosk in the hallway area of the convention center and I continued on!

Love this vest from Waverly Grey!

Swing Coat from Beth Bowley (they have the BEST coats - remember the Swacket?)

Project Runway Alum Christopher Collins himself showed me his line!

By now, it was 5:30 and I had reached the point of absorbing all I could and the real need to find some medicine for my headache.  I quickly grabbed a car service back to the hotel and walked straight to the ubiquitous NYC drug store Duane Reade.  A quick purchase of Tylenol Sinus and I was on my way.

I walked into the Algonquin and was once again greeted by the friendly clerk from the night before.  I asked her "where would you recommend I go for a quiet, delicious meal as a woman traveling alone?"  She suggested ReSette, a cozy Italian restaurant only a block away.  It did not disappoint and I had the most delicious homemade bread, olive oil, and black linguine seafood dish (with a glass of wine).  It was just what I needed! 

A quick walk back to my hotel and a change into my PJ's to relax and watch all of the beautiful Oscar fashions.  I needed to rest up again for Day Two!

Next Up:  Fall Market - Part 3

Fall Market - Part 1

This was an out of the ordinary Market trip for me.  Long time readers of the blog know that, with the exception of my first couple of market trips to Atlanta, I have always made the trip to NY in a single day.  While I was always pleased with my efficiency, those trips make for a very long day and did not leave me time to really explore lines outside the ones that I already carry at Zoe.

Now that Zoe is in such good hands when I'm not there, I found myself able to make a multi-day trip for Coterie (the name of the large NYC markets for Spring or Fall).  The first thing on my list - where would I stay?  As I was looking at hotels, I first started with the Marriott website since I have a long standing membership in their loyalty program.  Imagine my surprise and delight when I realized that the Algonquin Hotel was part of their Autograph Collection in New York!  I held my breath as I looked at the rates and realized that it was affordable enough for my two night stay!

As a lover of literature and the written word, the opportunity to stay in the Algonquin made me giddy.  Read up on some of the interesting facts about this historic hotel here.  Oh, and My Fair Lady is one of my favorite musicals!

Then it was time to plan my train trip.  No leaving at 5:30 in the morning for me!  I booked a 1:05 pm train leaving on Saturday afternoon!

Union Station is a very different place on a Saturday afternoon than an early Monday morning!  Although the train was crowded, I settled into the Cafe car and started catching up on emails and reading.  Not long after the train started moving, a group of young men carrying instruments entered the car, looking for places to put their instruments and to sit.  While eavesdropping, I figured out they were a band!  After we departed Baltimore, they started harmonizing!  Free entertainment!

My major plan for Saturday evening (after checking into the hotel) was to visit with one of Zoe's favorite designers, Kathlin Argiro, in the DUMBO section of Brooklyn.  Kathlin had told me that I could either take a car service or take the subway to her home.  I have always taken the subway with people who know their way around NY (I've just followed directions) but decided it was time to break out on my own!  I spent part of the trip studying the subway maps and confirming my trip/route.

When I arrived at Penn Station in NY, it was raining.  And if you think taxi shift change is bad, you should try getting a cab in NY in the rain.  One look at the taxi line after emerging from the station told me I'd be better off walking.  So off I went.

My route took me up 7th Avenue.  Once you get to Times Square, it is just a sea of people.  I found myself thinking "What is going on with all these clueless tourists??"  If it hadn't been raining, what a fascinating study in people it would have been!  I was soon to the Algonquin and was greeted warmly by the front desk clerk. There is nothing nicer than being at the end of a long journey and finding a friendly face.  After settling in my room, I freshened up my bedraggled appearance and set off for the Subway Station.

As I descended into the station alone, I couldn't help but think of all those Law & Order episodes I had seen and hoping I wouldn't end up in a "ripped from the headlines" episode!  Fortunately, the subway ride went smoothly and I arrived at my stop in Brooklyn in 20 minutes.

There are reasons why so many New Yorkers are not overweight.  There is a lot of walking and stair climbing to be done in the City!  I walked from the Subway Station to Kathlin's loft, which is on the 5th floor of a walk-up!  This being an old warehouse (originally), the stairs were very steep.  I did not need to do any additional exercise that day!

Kathlin's loft studio/apartment was beautiful.  I am ashamed to say that I did not take any pictures of the incredible view of Manhattan from her space.  I fear I would never get anything done if I lived/worked there. I would stare out the window ALL the time.

Kathlin had been working on a couture gown which she shared with me.  Those of you who know me well know I am completely enamored with beautiful things.  Too pricey for me or Zoe's customers but I could well appreciate the beauty and handiwork.

Kathlin and I do so much of our work together via email so she shared the actual fabric samples of the wrap dresses that will be arriving later this month!

She is such a great judge of prints and I know that whatever she selects will be gorgeous.

After a glass of wine and visiting with Kathlin and her husband, we headed out to dinner.  Kathlin took me on a walking tour of their neighborhood, explaining the significance of the buildings, who lived where (I saw the very upscale building where Jay-Z and Beyonce live as well as Anne Hathaway), and the history of the area. We also took time to stop into two local boutiques - one named Zoe Boutique (which has other locations in the Northeast...and has on a couple of occasions actually received shipments intended for me!) and another named Bluberi.  Boutiques there stay open until 8 pm even though the streets were fairly deserted of shoppers on that rainy night.  It is always so much fun to see what other people do and I learn from every store I visit.

I couldn't help picking up this pretty pair of earrings at Bluberi.  I've been wearing them a lot lately!

Their neighborhood DUMBO (and the nearby neighborhood of Vinegar Hill) were so charming.  We made our way to Hillside, a small wine bar in Vinegar Hill.  Kathlin's husband joined us soon after our arrival and we had an enjoyable and delicious meal in this cozy space.  From there, a quick trip to the bar that Kathlin's husband co-owns (68 Jay Street Bar) was in order!

Because it was getting late and I needed to be 100% for Zoe the next day at Market, Kathlin got me a car service back to Manhattan.  What a wonderful, very New York evening!

Next up:  Fall Market - Part 2

Sparkle Returns to Zoe

What is better on a cold winter day in February than having a little Sparkle come in the store?

That's right!  Our favorite NYC jewelry designer, Katie Bartels, was back in the DC area and came to visit us again at Zoe!  (We love her sparkly shoes!)

Katie had recently returned from a trip to Iceland (yes, I continue to live vicariously through her!) where she had purchased some yarn with the goal of incorporating it into jewelry!  She had also started taking knitting classes upon her return to New York.  Well!  I told her she HAD to come to Alexandria and check up the finest yarn and knitting store around - fellow Old Town Boutique District member Fibre Space!

After a fun visit with us at Zoe, we hopped in my car and headed to Fibre Space.  We were both immediately dazzled by the incredible array of yarns available.  Confession time - when I was growing up, the lady who used to stay with me and my brother after school and during the summer taught me how to knit and crochet.  (Those of you who know my lack of craftiness can stop laughing now).  I actually made a pair of emerald green house slippers.  Our yarn came from the local Five and Dime stores.  And it was all pretty much the same weight. 

Not so at Fibre Space - there are the most dazzling arrays of colors, strengths, and weights of yarn I've ever seen!  Katie was also blown away!  Here she is perusing a scarf that is made from a very strong yarn that almost has a metallic quality to it!

The staff at Fibre Space is always super-helpful and we were especially delighted when owner Danielle came back to the store.  She was able to give Katie all sorts of helpful information, including a great website for designs, a yarn store in Soho, and a great book for starting knitters. 

Katie and Danielle with Katie's finds!!

We will keep you up to date on Katie's creations with her Alexandria yarns!  It was great fun introducing her to all we have to offer in Old Town!

Next Up:  Fall Market Time - Part 1



The Other Side

Sometimes when I read through the blog, I wonder if people think that owning a boutique is one fun party and event after another! 

While I sometimes devote posts to my thoughts and feelings at the time, I don't often write about the other side of owning a small business.  The difficult side.  I often wonder if people would be interested in hearing those stories too!  (My friend Juice has encouraged me to save them for my book someday!  Believe me when I tell you it will be a page-turner!)

Knowing the ups and downs of owning a small business, I try to support other local businesses as much as possible.  About five months after Zoe opened, a small Indian fusion restaurant opened in Old Town.  I passed it every day on my way to the store.  I want to confess that Indian food is not my first choice of cuisine - if a friend wants it, I will gladly go along but I probably wouldn't go by myself.  So I admit upfront that I hadn't gone into this particular restaurant.

One of Zoe's customers did patronize this restaurant and we talked about it a couple of times.  She liked their food and would often order and pick it up on her way home from work.  She told me about some of their initial challenges and struggles (we all know the whole signage fun that you have in Old Town) and I told her to tell them that they weren't alone!  So even though I didn't eat there, I was cheering for them and hoping they would be successful.

In the month of December, a coupon book with coupons from various restaurants in Alexandria is distributed to select zip codes.  Zoe is in a similar coupon book (for stores) that is distributed in November.  I noticed that this Indian restaurant had a coupon in the book and I smiled - good for them!  Knowing the cost of the coupon book advertising, it said to me that they were headed in the right direction and were growing their customer base.

Yet, within a month of the coupon book release, it was announced that the restaurant had closed.  I was shocked and saddened.  Some might feel that I have no right to be sad if I didn't make the effort to go.  And I will admit that I felt guilty.  And I wondered what had happened...was there an illness that forced them to close their doors?  Had they reached a point where they couldn't continue to lose money?  Had they lost their passion and enthusiasm?  What happened?  Were the difficult days outnumbering the good days?

The morale of the story is - there are bad days and unhappy events.  When you can, encourage your local small business owner.  Sometimes just stopping in to say Hello can make a difference.  Tell a friend if you like the store's or restaurant's offerings.  Try to eat there or shop there when possible.  Help them have more good days than bad ones!

On a Lighter Note...Next Up:  Sparkle Returns to Zoe

Warehouse Sale - Year Two

It is fitting that the Old Town Boutique District Warehouse Sale has taken place the day before the Super Bowl over the last two years.  When people asked me to describe it this year the best I could come up with was "The Super Bowl of Fashion" (don't try to Trademark it...I'm already working on that.  Got to love having the PTO in your backyard.)

Planning begins in December for this annual event held at the George Washington Masonic Memorial in Old Town.  One of the first decisions I had to make after deciding to participate (Yes!) was the size space I would request.  Last year Zoe had a small space but this year I felt a large space would be the better choice.  So then all the planning for properly outfitting that large space goes into motion.

First up was ordering a second H-rack from the Furniture & Fixtures Warehouse in Richmond.  I didn't have the opportunity to make a trip there during their business hours so I had to have the H-rack shipped to the store.  Then I had to make sure I had all the right Size guides for the rack (I ordered the missing ones from Barr Display in Florida - they are the ones who have provided much of my fixtures at Zoe).  I ordered two Chinese screens from Amazon (Tara scouted these out for me) to use as "Dressing Rooms".  And I made sure we had plenty of credit card slips and receipt books.  I have to say, it was great to have been through it last year and to know so much better what to expect and what lessons to learn.

As time got closer to the sale, we had to start figuring out exactly what would be included on the sale.  Of course all of our Fall/Winter items that were on sale but did we have any remaining Spring/Summer items that should go?  Any accessories?  And is all of it going to fit in the large space?

One of the things that is important is determining the discount on each item.  We knew that we would have items on sale from 65 - 80% off their original retail prices.  But what about those items that may have been marked down 2 or 3 times?  Their tags really look confusing.  So we set up all the discounts in our point of sale system and printed brand new tags.  The new tags were printed with the original retail price and we marked the new Warehouse Sale price on each tag with Zoe's signature pink marker.  Makes it easy to see just what kind of deal you are getting at the sale.  Tara went through on Thursday afternoon and retagged every item to go to the sale.  That's a lot of work.

I was in the store on Friday, February 1st to prepare for and participate in the set-up.  I am always incredibly anxious before big events so I make lists.  With check boxes.  Because I feel better when I see things checked off.

You wouldn't think there would be that many things to consider for a one day sale, would you?  But it really is like opening a second Zoe for the day.

Tara had staged all of the clothing out into the store so that when Jim arrived after 3 pm on Friday afternoon, we wouldn't be pulling items out of the back.  As he and I were loading our cars, Alexandra arrived after school to help me go to the Masonic Memorial to set up.  We loaded the cars as best with could with the knowledge that Jim would need to unload and then come back to Zoe for more.  He always lectures me that he had better not have to bring back as much as he is taking!

We found our space right away (we were happy to be in the Upstairs Dining Room again) and immediately got started in configuring the space with the tables the way we wanted them.  Next comes set up on the H-racks - you want to get those perfectly spaced from the start as they are heavy when you have lots of clothes on them!  Alexandria and I were hard at work.

Alexandra sets up our sweater table. 

The young lady who does our social media set up this lovely scarf display on the accessories table.

After some strategizing, we figured out where to put the "Dressing Room"

Mirrors are a "must have" - we had two again this year!!

Setting up our "cash desk" - a card table from my house covered with a curtain from Target and my "coming soon" sign from the time I was preparing to open Zoe in Spring 2011!

Me discussing display strategies with Alexandra as we finalize set-up

We're done!  Game Faces On!  Ready to go home and "try" to get some rest.

Yes, well.  Good luck with the "rest" part.  It turned out that none of us slept well the night before.  In order to limit the number of cars in the parking lot, Jim and I picked up Tara and Alexandra the next morning.  Jim dropped us at the Memorial just at 7 am and we were faced with a small line already outside the door. 

It is never good to get in my way when I've got my "Game Face" on.  As we walked up to the door, I explained to those waiting in line that we were working the event.  They said "The door is locked."  Those who know me know that a locked door never deters me.  I marched right up to it a pressed the doorbell (probably more than once...) and could hear the bells clanging inside.  It sounded like a church bell!  Rapidly, the head of facilities for the Memorial came to the door and growled "Who rang the bell?"  I said "Me!  We need to get inside!"  He instantly changed his tone and let all of us in (and was frighteningly nice to me for the rest of the day!)

Workers for the other stores get a chance to check out the items from each store during this early period.  I'm too busy going into "game mode" to shop.  But I wasn't too busy to answer questions from a remote customer who was shopping the pictures we had put on Facebook!

Everyone loves a prompt response...even on sale day!

At 8 am, the local bloggers and the 4 lucky winners of early entry were allowed in.  And before you knew it, the regular shoppers, many who had been queued up for a couple of hours, were in!  Remember our pretty sweater table?

The picture below is how it looked about 5 minutes into the sale. 

It's hard when you are used to things looking nice!  Especially for the Zoe Girls!

We split up our duties.  I would handle all of the transactions, Alexandra would assist me in calling and bagging the items and Tara would manage the sales floor.  At one point, Tara found herself holding a large collection of clothing for an enthusiastic shopper.

Alexandra and I were busy ringing people up - as the sale went on, we had the happy problem of running out of receipts! 

Things do get pretty nutty during the sale - clothing ends up all over the place.  Tara had to even briefly moderate a small "disagreement" when one customer thought another was touching her stuff!

It is so much fun to meet new people and get to see friends and current Zoe customers!  We had a great mix of both on that day.  It always makes you feel good when you start to see those racks and tables thinning!  Our last customer purchased from us just after 4 pm.

Jim had brought my car to the parking lot a little after 3 pm and had neighbor Mike follow him over so he could go back home.  That way, when we closed, we could start packing up while Jim made his way back to the Memorial.  The pack up always goes so much faster that the set-up!  Especially when you have a lot less to pack up!

Tara and Alexandra and I (as well as Alexandra's family and a friend) started the pack up.  The great news was that we were able to get the return items in 2 cars with some room left to spare.  Janice had taken loving care of Zoe's real home on Union Street that day.  I had called to let her know we were on our way and to pull the rolling racks into the store so that we could hang up the clothes as they came in. 

The unload completed, Tara and I started ringing in the sales.  It is a tough process.  I do it manually because I'm always afraid the electronic card swipe on the iPhone/iPad won't work well (I had problems at another event) plus I have to relieve the inventory anyway.  We finally finished up at around 8 pm and I asked Tara to give me the total!  Great success and slightly over 50% better than the previous year!  Exhausted, we packed up and I drove Tara home.  We had some additional "clean-up" work to do at the store the next day, but it could wait.  Year Two was done and it was a success!

Next Up:  The Other Side



A Customer Rewards Program

Yes, so...how is that commitment to blogging more regularly working out for you?  It's ok - I know you want to say it.  But I'm back again.  And hoping that, if it counts for anything, all the fun and interesting things I have to write about will make it worth the wait.

One of the things the Zoe ladies and I have been brainstorming about is related to a Customer Rewards Program.  And as you've probably picked up in my prior posts along this adventure, my personal biases tend to be reflected in the decisions that I make for the store.  Good or bad, it is a fact.

So what do I think makes a good customer rewards program (for me?)

1) It has to be simple.  I don't want to have to think about it.  I don't want to have to track anything on my own or have expiration dates or have to click on a link and do something twice and then come into the store.  I hate complicated.

2) It has to give me something I care about and will use (and has to make it easy to use it).  I used to travel a great deal in a previous job.  I amassed a large number of Marriott points (their hotels are everywhere - no matter how large or small the locale) and significant frequent flyer status on United (helpful because Dulles is one of their hubs and they went everywhere I needed to go).  Adding to my points balance required no effort from me (except to remember to reference my rewards number when booking reservations) and redeeming them was also simple.  Go online, submit the request, receive confirmation, enjoy. 

3) It needs to make me feel special.  Now, let me be clear.  The silly "red carpet" and a different "lane" to board the plane in the United gate area did NOT make me feel special.  Getting to go through a shorter security line and check baggage for free...that made me feel special. 

Probably my biggest customer rewards program now (besides Starbucks) is Amtrak.  Although I don't travel enough to make any sort of Elite Status, I do build points that I could cash in for a free trip.  I can get excited about that.

So I think about all these things when I think about what might make sense to reward Zoe's wonderful customers.  And I think about...what do we do today?

We offer a bag discount - if you bring your Zoe bag when you come shopping with us, we offer you a 5% discount on your purchase.  The bags are really nice and are reusable.  But I realize not everyone wants to carry their Zoe bag around.  But we do have a core group of customers who loyally bring in their bags when they shop with us.  (I love it!)

For those customers who sign up on our email list and give us their birthday month, we offer a 15% discount in their birthday month (doesn't matter whether it is sale or full price item...and we layer it on top of any other discount going on at the time). 

We have certain things we do for customers, depending on how they choose to interact with us - if you are on our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter, we sometimes have short term contests or giveaways.  But if you follow us on email, sometimes you know about events before everyone else.  Or you are eligible to win a $100 Gift Card that we give away at the end of every quarter.  Or you might win prizes from attending an in-store event. 

But how does all this translate into building a Loyalty Program that is meaningful to Zoe's customers?  (and, conversely, to the business?)  I have some ideas but would love your feedback.  What makes for a great loyalty program in your eyes?

Next Up:  Warehouse Sale - Year Two

Summer Market

I know that I've done a lot of posts about my trips to market to buy for Zoe.  It is always fascinating to me that no matter how many times I've gone, each time is a slightly different experience. 

I'll never get used to the fact that we buy so far in advance.  I had resort/early spring items arriving at Zoe this month that I ordered back in July!  So, with that knowledge, it makes sense that I would be buying Summer deliveries in early January.

The minor fashion seasons (Summer, Winter/Holiday, Resort/Early Spring) have smaller collections.  Usually, I can accomplish everything I hope to accomplish in one day.  But I always make a list prior to the show to make sure I know who I want to see and their booth locations.

That's a lot of people to try to visit in one day! (But don't you love my Oscar de la Renta notebook?)

When I asked the young lady who manages Zoe's social media if she'd like for me to Tweet about the experience throughout the day, she said "Yes!"  So I had to make sure I left time to Tweet!

I departed Union Station on a 5:25 am train for New York.  Union Station early on a Sunday morning is NOT the place to be.  Nothing is open and there are some questionable people hanging around.  I was happy to get ON the train.

The train ride was uneventful and we had a slightly early arrival in NYC!  After making sure my Mom and Jim knew that I arrived safely, I was off to catch a cab.  The fantastic thing was that the cab line early on Sunday morning was non-existent! 

Note that the ease of catching a cab does not always translate into a quality cab ride.  When I got in and told the driver my destination (Piers 92/94 please!) he asked "Is that East side or West side?"  Uh oh.  I gave him more precise cross streets and off we went.  In short order we arrived!

Because this was a smaller show, I only had one specific appointment and the rest of my designers had told me to drop in when I had the opportunity.  I started with accessories first and made a stop at San Diego based leatherworks Leatherock.  I love their belts!

Next up was one of my (and Zoe customer) favorites Chan Luu!  My one appointment of the day!  It is always such fun to work with Natasha to pick out great jewelry and scarves.

Quite often, the denim is also located in the same area as all of the accessories designers.  So of course I had to make a stop at Red Engine to visit sales rep Jenny!  I picked some colored denim for the store for Spring as well as stocked up on some new washes for some of our customer staples.

A quick glance at the time told me I had better get going on my apparel shopping!  So it was off to new store fave Amy Matto.

Loving the pinks in these dresses!

Beth Bowley also does some great prints in easy to wear shapes.  I have a hard time editing to exactly what I want to bring home for Zoe's customers!

When I tweeted about this dress, I got an immediate positive response!

Alice & Trixie does some fabulous Summer pieces.  I always have a hard time deciding what to buy!

Next it was off to one of our favorites - Velvet.  The Zoe Girls had given me assignments of pieces that they wanted me to look at during the market.  Velvet is one of the brands that provides access to their linesheet information prior to the show so that you can start "pre-shopping". 

So many style choices!

And color choices!  How do I decide??

Next door was Velvet's higher end brand Graham & Spencer.  Oh, how I love this brand.  I wanted one of everything!

Another personal favorite is Rebecca Taylor.  My rep, Noelle, has been my rep since my very first market in October 2010 in Atlanta.  It is always great to see her and she knows me and my store so well that she can help me start to edit as we are going through the pieces.



How cute are those little stripped peplum tops on the right?

And yes, I had to succumb to picking up a couple of pieces for myself....

Noelle was also so sweet to allow me to charge my iPhone in their booth.  All that Tweeting taking up battery power!  The funniest thing?  The most compliments I got all day were related to my iPhone cover (a pink Kate Spade cover).  Every time I lifted it up to take a picture, the rep would comment on how they loved it!

Then it was off to Tracy Reese.  The rep there also has been with me since day one.  It is so wonderful when they understand my store and know the items NOT to show me!  My editing here was really tough - I loved everything!

Please note that any bias toward red and black was purely coincidental! (mostly)

Just prior to market, I had heard from a great sales rep for another line that she was leaving that line.  Imagine my delight when I ran into her in another booth!  While I don't carry this line in the store, I liked the design, function, and quality of this line.

And before I knew it, it was time to catch my train back to DC.  Not wanting to get caught in the "taxi shift change" that I experienced in August last year, I took the show shuttle bus back to Penn Station!

An uneventful train ride later, I was back in DC.  What a whirlwind!  Everyone always says "Oh, it must be such fun!"  I always tell them that it is one of the most fun parts of owning a store and one of the most stressful!  I always hope I've found the things my customers are going to LOVE! 

Next up:  A Customer Rewards Program