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Ali Shops Blog

Posts Tagged ‘ivy’

Ivy store closing

Tuesday, April 20th, 2010

Ivy is closing after five years in Uptown. Owner Ini Iyamba, who hosted a denim event just last weekend, said simply, "It's the perfect time to say goodbye." All merchandise is now 50 percent off. Sounds like talks for an Ivy store at Shops at West End are off.

West End update

Thursday, February 18th, 2010

Caught up today with the developer of The Shops at West End who has been working against odds to lease the new outdoor center at Highway 100 and 394 in St. Louis Park that broke ground just before the economy crashed. It's taken considerably longer than expected, but that's partly because they are sticking to their original upscale concept, targeting fashionable, urban women 20-55 who want the latest – as long as parking is convenient and free. The payoff will finally start to be realized in April and May with the opening of Lululemon Athletica yoga wear and Republic of Couture, a boutique-y chain offering trendy labels like William Rast and Hugo Boss for women and men. Both are new to the Twin Cities – an admirable goal of the developer's. (Anthropologie and Love Culture are currently holding down the retail front along with local fave Creative Kidstuff.) The other priority: a mix of local boutiques, and to that end: Uptown retailer Ini Iyamba has signed on to do an Ivy women and men's store and Amy Briesemeister will resurrect her Long Lake boutique Pink Champagne. Also opening this spring: Uber Baby and Hot Mama. Raze, a men's hair salon from Regis, is scheduled to open March 1, followed by Toby Keith's bar and grill the third week of March with more food concepts to come including Mexican, pizza, crepes, a wine bar and – fingers crossed – a local coffee/dessert joint that would be open late. As the action picks up this spring, don't be surprised if a few national chains flee their current Minneapolis or west metro (watch out, Ridgedale) homes to join West End.

Outlet coup

Thursday, May 15th, 2008

Uberoutlet
The Uber Outlet promised bargains from some of the Twin Cities’ most exclusive shops, and it is starting to deliver. Owner Lynne Gonsior told me this morning that Galleria designer boutique Arafina and cool, contemporary clothing store Ivy (both women and men’s) are sending sale merchandise to the outlet. The first arrivals land on Tuesday, May 20. Also coming next week: premium jeans from Hudson, Serfontaine, Joe’s and  True  Religion. Race ya!

SATC in the TC

Tuesday, May 13th, 2008

Satcativy
Next thing you know, Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda will be hawking dish washing detergent. From beauty products to workout gear to, of course, shoes, every brand wants their product associated with the "Sex and the City" movie. I’d say I’m receiving around five SATC product pitches a day – and often, the connection is as remote as, these gloves are made of leather – just like the ones Carrie wears in the movie! I’m irritated already…but still, I confess, I’m excited to see the movie. A couple of local retailers are doing their part to capitalize on the fervor. Ivy at Calhoun Square is selling SATC t-shirts with sayings like "Looking for Mr. Big" and "I’m a Carrie." (Can’t help thinking: would Carrie ever be caught in something like that?). They sell for $40 to $44. Drama at Gaviidae Common is hosting "An Evening with Sex and the City," including a screening of the film, cocktails, store gift certificates and gift bag. The event takes place Saturday, May 31. Tickets can be purchased by sending $25 via paypal to courtney@shopatdrama.com. Or call 612-338-9423 for more details. Cheers. 

Lucky us

Tuesday, January 8th, 2008

Lucky magazine finally figured out what we’ve known all along: the Twin Cities boasts an impressive bevy of independent boutiques. In the February issue, on newsstands Wednesday, Lucky features Minneapolis and St. Paul among "the best new cities to shop." They singled out 15 independent stores: some obvious, like Ivy, Stephanie’s, Bluebird Boutique and the Walker Shop; and a few intended to prove they really did their homework, like Salon Rouge for beauty products and Swank Interiors for vintage furnishings. (Get the full list in the St. Paul Pioneer Press.) There are some glaring omissions: StyledLife, Cherie, Corazon – but, then, there would be no way to adequately capture the entire scene on one page…that’s what AliShops.com is for.
Actually, Lucky indirectly contributed to the launch of AliShops.com. I used to provide local shopping news for the magazine’s website, until they decided a few years ago to cut Minneapolis. That’s right – they kept Denver, and axed the Twin Cities. I told them that was crazy – this is a creative, cosmopolitan city, filled with interesting, innovative retail concepts and fashionable residents. Seems they’re finally catching on. Better late than never.

The hip parade

Thursday, September 27th, 2007

Collage3_3 The cool crowd turned out tonight for the Collage fashion show at the Nicollet Island Pavilion (a perfect venue for the event, save for the bad acoustics). Unlike Glamorama, which is really a society benefit attracting a lot of movers and shakers, Collage is for the young, creative and purely fashionable on any budget. The overwhelmingly female crowd was dressed to impress – lots of flowy, jersey dresses and, refreshingly, a minimal amount of denim. As for the show itself, Ivy, Ivy Men’s + Design, Stephanie’s and Bluebird Boutique exhibited their sharp eye for trend-forward style. Ivy showed chunky knits, short skirts and high waisted trousers while Bluebird is still rockin’ the super skinny jean. The Ivy man is at ease in a dapper suit or jeans and a cool trench. Stephanie’s provided the big finish with her reliable crop of fab evening dresses. If you attended, or got a post card in the mail Collage1_6 for the show, be sure to stop by the stores Friday or Saturday for your store wide discount – you’re going to want to buy.

Fall fashion events

Friday, September 14th, 2007

Looking for inspiration, or at least some great people watching? Local fashion events abound in the next couple of weeks:
Sept. 19 to 23: it’s Fall Fashion Weekend brought to us by MNfashion.org, the group behind Voltage. The festivities will include trunk shows and runway shows by local designers, a tour of collections at the Minnesota Historical Society, parties, in-store events and networking opportunities for aspiring designers and stylists.
Sept. 27: Collage fashion show at the Nicollet Island Pavilion from Stephanie’s, Ivy, Ivy Men’s + Design and Bluebird Boutique. The looks are sure to be hot, and the crowd even hotter. (Last year, I remember thinking who are these good-looking, well-dressed people and where have they been hiding? Maybe I just need to go out more.) Success does have it price, and this year, the formerly free event is charging $25 for admission. That does include a complimentary champagne and dessert bar and an after party with DJ. Tickets can be purchased at www.collagefashionshow.com.


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