Tag Archives: fashion

Gift of Thrift: Jay’s Boutique makes dressing to impress affordable, convenient

December 29, 2022 | by Maddie Gittens

Janica Wright

Janica Wright grew up thrifting. Shopping for affordable pieces made economic sense for her family, and she never minded secondhand.

“We’ve always been thrift store, consignment people,” she said. “You can get the same quality or better for a much better price.”

But for Wright, cutting back on spending never meant sacrificing fashion. Oftentimes, it actually meant the opposite. She could find unique pieces that might not be on-trend in stores, but fit her style and made a statement.

“Knowing I can walk into a place and know that no one has this is really cool,” Wright said.

That feeling is one that Wright wants to share with people through her new shop, Jay’s Boutique on N. 6th Street. The small shop recently opened in November and sits just outside Harrisburg, in Susquehanna Township.

In February, Wright began selling thrifted finds online with the goal of opening a storefront. Her new space is snug, but it’s the perfect size for her blossoming business, she explained.

Jay’s Boutique offers all of the best parts of thrifting to shoppers—the affordability, one-of-a-kind items and sustainability benefits. But here, you don’t have to sort through bins of unorganized secondhand items, scan dozens of racks or get overwhelmed by shelves of knickknacks and accessories arranged by color. Wright takes all of the stress out of the shopping experience by scouring the stores for the best pieces and whittling them down to a manageable, yet substantial collection.

“Let me do the hard work for you,” Wright said.

Jay’s caters to women’s fashion, including everything from casual to professional to formal wear. In addition to clothing, she sells shoes, purses, belts, jewelry, sunglasses and other accessories.

Unlike many boutiques, Wright makes it her mission to stock a wide range of sizes, including plus sizes and larger shoe sizes.

When a customer visits the boutique, Wright is available to help with styling tips and suggestions. She hopes to provide high-end pieces at affordable prices and show women that they don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars for quality outfits.

Wright’s full-time job is in management at a pediatric dental clinic. She’s found that the people skills needed for that position have helped her when interacting with customers at her new business.

To continue to engage customers beyond the typical shopping experience, she plans to host ladies night events and other in-store experiences. She also offers styling services to help clients plan outfits for special events.

“I’m a big fan of quality experiences,” she said. “Those are impactful.”

Just as Wright has been able to gain confidence and find her unique style through thrifting, she’s ready to help other women do the same.

“Over the years, I’ve learned to be myself and wear what makes me confident,” she said. “I want to help others feel confident in their own skin.”

Jay’s Boutique is located at 3525 N. 6th St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit their Instagram @jaysboutiquepa.

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Thrifty Business: Boho Hoarder opens in Paxtonia with vintage, thrifted finds

June 6, 2022 | by Maddie Gittens

Owner Rebecca Babish of Boho Hoarder

When Rebecca Babish was a kid, she and her siblings were used to getting hand-me-downs.

“There was a stigma around it, but we never cared,” she said.

For Babish, it was exciting to hunt through the bags of clothes, outgrown by older family members and friends. Sometimes, she would even personalize the items, customizing them to fit her style.

As she got older, the hand-me-downs stopped coming, but her love for thrifting only grew.

Now, Babish owns Boho Hoarder, a new shop on Jonestown Road, where she sells her second-hand and vintage finds.

For a while, the business relied on online sales and pop-up shops, such as the HBG Flea, for exposure. But in May, Boho Hoarder settled into its first brick-and-mortar location.

The second-floor shop is stocked with clothing, home décor, accessories, glassware and other items that Babish has curated over years of thrifting. She describes her style as “dark eclectic.” There are racks of clothes—graphic tees, silky robes, cowboy boots and jean jackets. On a black accent wall hang pictures—one of Elvis, another of a tiger—and colorful candlesticks sit on top of a mantel. Purses, woven baskets, mirrors and small decorative objects fill any vacant space in the shop. Each piece was hand-picked by Babish.

“It sounds crazy, but I could tell you where I got each of these pieces,” she said. “It’s all stuff that I love.”

Babish has several storage spaces full of items she’s collected. The contents of the shop only amass to around half of what she has stored. While some items have been stashed in her collection for years, the shop is also a revolving door of new finds, Babish said.

In addition, she plans to host classes at the shop on topics like terrarium making, macramé crafting and jean distressing. Babish said that she will also soon open a photography studio in one of the shop’s rooms.

Babish has a love for fashion, which she believes she got from her grandma whose motto was, “If you’ve got it, flaunt it.” She’s happy to help advise customers on outfit selections at the shop and feels strongly about body positivity.

“I really believe in embracing your body,” she said. “I want this to be a place where you feel like you can be yourself.”

Boho Hoarder’s eclectic clothing selection has a range of styles and sizes for customers to choose from. Babish hopes that those who visit love the collection as much as she does.

“When you love something and see someone else love it—it’s awesome,” Babish said. “It’s a confidence thing.

Boho Hoarder is located at 5800 Jonestown Rd. Suite A, Harrisburg. For more information, visit the shop’s Instagram.

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Behind the Seams: Harrisburg designers custom make many of the most unforgettable looks at local proms

April 29, 2022 | by Maddie Gittens

Jaylene Crawley, Kevin Berry, Satin Monroe and Keya Wilson

Jaylene Crawley remembers getting her first American Girl doll at 8 years old as a gift from her mom. It was an expensive purchase for a mother of four kids, but she saved up, and the two squealed with joy when the doll arrived in the mail.

Crawley was into fashion even as a young girl and couldn’t wait to dress up her doll. But she knew that her family wouldn’t be able to afford extra outfits for it. Instead, she taught herself to sew, picking up tips from her aunt. For hours, Crawley would sew by hand in her room, crafting little dresses for her doll.

She recalls a time when she got caught sewing in class at school. Instead of punishing her, her teacher, Mrs. Cooper, held her after class to give her a sewing machine.

“That’s what jump-started everything,” Crawley said.

These days, she’s still making dresses for American girls, but this time they’re real-life ones. You might see a few of these young women showing off her work this month, as it is prom season.

Crawley is one of several Harrisburg designers working behind the scenes to make local students stand out in their gowns and tuxes for that special night of the year. Chances are, if you’ve seen the pictures of bright, flashy, extravagant prom attire, you were looking at the handiwork of one of these local fashion gurus.

Sew Sisters

Crawley designed her first prom dress for a client in 2007. For the first few years, she stuck to creating one dress a year for prom. But over the years, that number rose to as high as 21 for a single prom season.

Depending on the gown, it can take anywhere from a few hours to weeks to design and sew a dress. She described herself as a designer as “avant-garde,” which “means over-the-top in fashion,” she said. Crawley explained her work as wearable art. And there’s no better example than her money dress.

“I want to look like a million bucks…literally,” a former prom client of Crawley’s explained to her.

Fifty-five hours of work and many stacks of fake money later, and the student was walking into her high school prom covered in cash. It didn’t take long before the dress went viral online.

“Just to see the girls light up makes my day,” Crawley said.

During the sometimes stressful and taxing season of designing, Crawley is grateful for her support system—her “sew sisters.”

A handful of years ago, she met two other Harrisburg designers, Keya Wilson and Satin Monroe. They instantly clicked and, since then, have leaned on each other with encouragement, questions and, when needed, by lending an extra zipper.

“Everyone can succeed, thrive and still help each other,” Crawley said. “We don’t need competition. No one takes from the other. We all want to see each other do well.”

Tuxceded Expectations

While the “sew sisters” get the ladies ready for prom, Kevin Berry of Covered By Style and Grace is making sure all the guys look just as fly.

“When you dress good, you feel good,” Berry said.

While Berry always had a “passion for fashion,” as Kanye West, his fashion role model, said, it wasn’t until a few years ago, after a job loss, that he could finally make that passion a business.

His style has remained the same over the years. It’s sophisticated and elegant, but often with a unique touch. He remembers his own prom experience, when his dad took him to get his first custom suit in Philadelphia. It was inspired by, of course, Kanye. Berry would still wear that suit, if it fit, he said. It still hangs in his closet—off-white with a bright pop of coral pink.

Now, like his dad did for him, he makes other young men’s fashion aspirations come to life. He’s worked with clients from Bishop McDevitt, Harrisburg High School, Susquehanna Township, Milton Hershey and Lower Dauphin, among other schools.

He has also partnered with the “sew sisters” on prom pop-up shops, and it’s not uncommon for one of his clients to be headed to prom with one of Wilson’s clients. They’ve created a few matching prom looks.

While he hasn’t yet mastered tailoring, Berry designs all the suits and works with local Giovanni’s Tailor Shop.

“If it’s not something I would wear, it’s not something I would give you,” he said.

A Million Bucks

“I’m really picky,” admitted Makayla Tumer, who graduated from Susquehanna Township High School last year.

Prom was something that Tumer thought about since she was a little girl. Once she was in high school, she planned for the big night for over a year.

“I didn’t want a dress that looked like anyone else’s in my school or in the area,” she said. “I wanted to look different.”

When she approached Wilson, who owns Pieces of Me, a design business, Tumer was unsure if Wilson would be able to make her vision come to life. She envisioned a dress adorned with tiny mirror pieces and rhinestones. It wasn’t easy, but what’s Wilson if not the fairy godmother of prom dresses?

“It was the best dress of the prom,” Tumer said, without hesitation.

When you commission Wilson to make a dress, you don’t just get the dress, you get a whole experience. She’s constantly communicating with you during the design and fitting process and will often personally come to your house on prom night to make sure you’re ready to go.

“The best part is, when it’s complete, and you see them dressed up and they’re so happy,” she said. “It’s really rewarding.”

Like Crawley, Wilson is largely self-taught in sewing. What began as a way to make unique clothes for herself grew exponentially once people started asking for custom pieces from her.

Handling the volume of dresses that she works on each year is a challenge—she once sewed her fingers together—but it’s worth it.

“It can be stressful, but I never get tired of it,” she said.

Stitching Smiles

While “sew sister” Satin Monroe had training in fashion design, it wasn’t until after she gave birth to her daughter that she really got serious about it. She needed some extra income and decided to sit back down at her sewing machine.

“My daughter was my inspiration,” she said. “It made me fall back in love with being creative. Taking a chance on myself led me to where I am.”

Now, she designs a minimum of 20 gowns each prom season. She hopes, one day, to design a collection of gowns and to hire some staff members to help with the workload.

There are a lot of hours, thread and sequins that go into prom outfits that turn heads and make the newspapers. There’s also a lot of passion and heart for the clients that the designers are dressing.

While custom designs can be expensive, Berry works to make sure his tuxes and suits are still affordable.

“I want everybody to have the opportunity to dress well,” he said.

Wilson also caters to those who may not be able to afford a custom gown by designing and giving away a free dress to one student each year.

Diamond Thomas, who attended Central Dauphin East High School, was one of these recipients. After Wilson heard of Thomas’ struggle with chronic pain, she decided to give her a special prom experience.

Not only did she make her a custom dress, but she paid for her hair and makeup to be done and came to her house to help her get ready.

“She worked her magic,” Thomas said. “It was a rough year, so it was like a weight lifted off my shoulders. I will forever remember that experience.”

When Wilson and the other designers are stressed, working long nights to get all of their prom orders finished, these reactions keep them going. It’s about more than a gown or tux. It’s the business of making people feel good, making them happy.

“In the end, it’s the smile that keeps me going,” Crawley said.

Jaylene Crawley, Keya Wilson, Satin Monroe and Covered by Style and Grace by Kevin Berry all can be found on Facebook.

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Fashion documentary celebrating “Black Excellence” will highlight Harrisburg stylists

May 20, 2021 | by Maddie Conley Gittens

Pictured (from left): Tia Wise, Maisha Webb, Nicole Best, Ebone Turner, Anthony James

The last time I met the crew of stylists and business owners that make up Fashion Empire and Mean Girl Style Boutique, I told them it seemed like they were part of an “underground fashion scene” in Harrisburg.

It was meant as a compliment. They were unique and fresh. The brands weren’t widely known in Harrisburg but were just beginning to emerge. Both storefronts had recently opened, and they were holding fashion shows and photoshoots.

But soon enough they might have to drop the “underground” thing.

Fashion Empire and Mean Girl Style Boutique are the spotlight of a fashion documentary, “Black Excellence,” premiering this weekend in the Soldiers Grove park in Harrisburg.

Artist and filmmaker Darius Davis came up with the idea for the documentary as he got to know business owners in the community. With the pandemic, police violence and division the nation was facing, he wanted to promote something positive.

He saw the unity and collaboration happening within the community of brand and business owners that are housed in Fashion Empire’s boutique in the Colonial Park Mall, along with Mean Girl Style in Steelton, and the story unfolded from there.

“As a people, there are so many things we have to overcome on a daily basis,” said Fashion Over Foolishness brand owner Ebone Turner. “Everything we touch turns to gold. I’m so happy we have this moment to shine.”

The film highlights eight businesses and brands including iROX BEAUTY, Mean Girl Style Boutique, Radiantly U, Beni Models Inc., Anthony James, Tia Lynnette Style, Gym Bullyz and Fashion Over Foolishness. They believe it’ll be one of the first fashion documentaries in the area.

It includes stories from the owners, original poetry, art and footage from modeling sessions in York and Harrisburg. Everything revolves around the theme of Black Excellence.

“Our Blackness makes us unique,” said Nicole Best of iRox Beauty. “It’s about being unapologetic. We don’t have to conform.”

The crew also touches on how COVID affected their businesses, forcing the owners of Fashion Empire to pivot and adapt shortly after opening in March 2020. Maisha Webb of Mean Girl Style had to do the same, getting creative with keeping her boutique afloat.

“COVID pushed us out of our comfort zones and made you realize what really mattered,” Best said.

The stylists will see the film for the first time with the public on Saturday. There will also be a fashion show and food vendors. Tickets for the event have sold out.

“We want people to be inspired and be successful as well,” said Tia Wise of Tia Lynnette Style.

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Boujee in the Burg: Fashion Empire gives you a taste of the area’s style

November 30, 2020 | by Maddie Conley Gittens

Tia Wise

It was a night that could hardly be described.

Words like, “epic,” “amazing” and “successful” came to Ebone Turner’s mind, but it was the look in her eyes that really told the story.

Models strutted down the grand double staircase to the beat the DJ spun. They struck a pose and cameras flashed. The room in the National Civil War Museum in 2018 was packed, sold out to be exact.

After the last model walked, stylists Turner and Tia Wise reluctantly made their way out from behind the scenes to face the cheering crowd. This was their show—they did it.

“We thought, if we could do this on our first project, imagine what we could do,” Wise said.

In March, the pair opened their own retail shop along with fellow clothing brand owners and stylists Anthony Dailey, Donald Hill and DJ Turner. They named it after what they knew they were building—Fashion Empire.

But their store on Front Street in Steelton is really just a window into an “underground” world—one that, if you’re not a part of, you may not notice.

“It’s a community. It is its own world,” Turner said. “I feel like together we could take over this city.”

New Standards

After leaving their desk jobs to pursue their passion, Turner and Wise started their own clothing brands with a goal of inspiring confidence.

“Standard size clothing is available everywhere,” Wise said. “When you go into a store, there’s always just a little tiny section for plus-size clothes.”

Wise started her brand, “Jessica’s Dream,” now, “Tia Lynnette Style,” in 2017 to provide a local fashion option for plus-size women.

Wise’s line is half professional and half street-style, all with a little edge. However, she explained the difficulty of finding clothing that isn’t oversexualized.

“There’s a shortage of plus-size in this area,” she said.

Turner also started her own brand, “Fashion Over Foolishness,” in 2014, but what she really loves is making people “look good.”

“A lot of people don’t think they need a stylist until they get one,” she said.

Turner puts together outfits for people to wear during photoshoots, fashion shows or any other big events. She often works with Dailey, a fellow stylist and one of the co-owners of Fashion Empire. The duo forms “Street Couture,” Dailey bringing the fancy and Turner with the edge.

“It’s a confidence thing,” she said. “We just want people to feel good. I want to help their self-esteem.”

Combined, the Fashion Empire crew has held five fashion shows.

While styling, Turner has witnessed clients cry, so happy with how they look.

“That’s what it’s about,” she said. “There’s so much pleasure in it.”

World of Style

Dailey’s life has always revolved around fashion. His great grandmother hosted fashion shows, his grandma always had an event to dress up for and his uncle James—he was Dailey’s fashion icon.

“I’ve always loved getting dressed up and looking nice,” he said. “I was the 5-year-old that wore a suit to school.”

When Dailey started his brand, “Anthony James,” and began styling with Turner, it just made sense. Fashion was his world.

When most people think of fashion epicenters, Harrisburg probably isn’t the first place to come to mind—Los Angeles or New York maybe, not Harrisburg.

“It’s a smaller city, and it definitely gets overlooked,” Dailey said.

But once you meet one member of the fashion world, the rest starts unraveling.

There’s Maisha Webb of Mean Girl Style Boutique who knows the Fashion Empire team down the street. Wise and Turner namedrop Keya Wilson, who, according to them, is the most well known designer in Harrisburg. Then there’s Tracy Johnson and Jennifer Ruiz, who are current vendors at Fashion Empire. And you can’t forget Dimitra Diggs of Urban Snob in Midtown.

The list goes on.

“In this city, you really have to prove yourself,” Turner said. “We are not allowing people to walk past us.”

Ultimately, she doesn’t see the local fashion scene as a competition.

“It’s like that Ne-Yo song, ‘I’m a movement by myself but I’m a force when we’re together,’” Turner said. “I want people from Philly to be like, we need to get down there.”

Fashion Empire is located at 39 N. Front St., Steelton. For more information, visit their Facebook page.

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Like for Local: Harrisburg influencers share what’s good around the city.

October 31, 2019 | by Maddie Conley

Shantell Robertson

Shantell Robertson always had influence.

She went from being a police officer to working in the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s office—she had the uniform and the badge. However, she decided to trade that in and try a different type of influence, one that required a lot more skirts.

Before heading to her full-time job at the Pennsylvania Automotive Association in Harrisburg, Robertson gets up at 6 a.m. to work on her blog, “Get Your CHIC On,” over a cup of coffee. She may be writing a blog post or uploading photos to her Instagram account. Later, during her lunch break, she might continue editing her post. And once Robertson leaves the office, she heads home to make calls with local businesses or drives to a photo shoot for a product she’s endorsing.

“It’s like another full-time job,” she said. “It’s more than a hobby. It’s a side hustle.”

Blogging took off in the early 2000s and has continued to evolve. Now, according to marketing site Izea, about half of people online read blogs. However, as trends shifted and audience preferences changed, many bloggers have turned to social media as their primary communication tool.

Influencer marketing in the United States can be traced back to the 1920s with Coco Channel’s influence on fashion and in the ‘80s with Michael Jordan’s endorsement of Nike, reports Social Media Today.

In 2010, bloggers and influencers got a new platform with the launch of Instagram. With celebrities like Kim Kardashian spearheading the trend on this platform, using social media to build or represent a brand became the norm.

Now, with many people checking their social media multiple times a day, bloggers like Robertson have a way to reach a consistent audience locally.

“Get Your CHIC On” is a lifestyle and fashion blog that Robertson describes as “feminine chic, yet classic and sophisticated.” She posts content for more than 13,000 followers almost every day, whether it’s on her blog or on Instagram as a story or static post.

Robertson’s content features fashion from local and national brands, as well as health and beauty products. While the photos may look effortless to some, she admitted that, for each picture posted, anywhere from 50 to 100 pictures didn’t make the cut.

Robertson explained that the income from her blog and Instagram posts is small, but she does occasionally make money from sponsored posts for companies such as Nordstrom, Athleta or Rent the Runway. For smaller local businesses, Robertson will participate in partnerships where she may receive a free meal or a discount code for her followers in exchange for posting a picture of their product.

Contrary to many influencers, for Robertson, money is not the driving factor behind what she does.

“I love the creative process of it,” she said. “I love the relationship-building, and I love helping other women.”

On the Grind

Jehava Brown

Mom blogger and Harrisburg resident Jehava Brown has been writing about parenting, faith, travel and style on her blog Onlygirl4boyz for three years. After reading blogs that inspired her, she wanted to provide encouragement to others. But that wasn’t her only goal. From the beginning, she knew she wanted to make her blog a business.

Within six months, Brown was making an income through business deals with brands to advertise their products. She worked her way up and now works with brands like Gatorade, Soma, Walmart and Amazon. Brown’s blog has become a full-time job that earns her an equivalent income, she said. Not only is she making money, but, through a partnership with Disney, Brown, her husband and their three boys have gone on cruises free of cost.

Along with the advertisements and sponsored posts, Brown posts content about motherhood, travel and her faith, filling a gap she sees in the blogging world.

“There’s a disparity of minorities in this market,” she said. “There’s not a lot of minority mom bloggers. That’s why I’m unique.”

She also realized that, for many of her white blogger friends, their audience is primarily white, and, with her black blogger friends, theirs is black.

“My audience is 50/50, which I think is really cool,” Brown said. “People are saying, ‘I relate to you,’ no matter what race they are.”

#Delicious

Corinne Foster

Blogging isn’t all business.

Harrisburg food blogger Corinne Foster—known on Instagram as Foster the Foodie—just wants to help people eat good food on the cheap. A recent college graduate and new to the area, she hoped to find the best places to eat in the city, within a lower budget.

She began by creating an extensive Excel spreadsheet listing local restaurants, bars and bakeries to keep track of her new favorite Harrisburg spots. As the file grew, it quickly evolved into something she knew she needed to share with others. Here, her social media account was born.

“I want to help people find things that aren’t Google-able,” she said. “It’s cool that people are taking my advice.”

The Foster the Foodie audience is in the 20s to 30s age range, a group similar to herself—young people looking for a good meal that’s also a good deal. In addition to Harrisburg eateries, Foster has shared with her followers her favorites from Lancaster, York and Lititz.

Foster has promoted local restaurants like Iron Hill Brewery, Ann’s Cupcakery, Café 1500 and a slew of stands within the Broad Street Market. She also has partnered with businesses, like Sweet 717 in the market, to do product giveaways, which provide the vendors and herself more publicity, while giving back to her audience. Often, she receives compensated meals, but pointed out that she never promotes restaurants she wouldn’t eat at herself.

“I wouldn’t want this to be a business,” she said.

Heart Harrisburg

Bree Whitelock

Working with local businesses is the foundation of Bree Whitelock’s blog Cherishburg—a guide to all things Harrisburg.

But as invested as she is in the city now, that wasn’t always the plan.

“I didn’t intend to end up in Harrisburg,” she said.

But, after graduating from Messiah College and landing a job at WebFX, a tech and marketing firm on Front Street, Whitelock gained an appreciation for the city she now called her home. A self-declared optimist, she saw all that local business in the city had to offer and wanted others to, as well.

“If I’m going to be working and living here, I don’t want these places to close,” Whitelock said.

In 2017, she piloted her blog, Cherishburg, to promote local business, but also to use as a creative outlet for herself. She wrote about local restaurants, places to volunteer and other quirks Harrisburg has to offer.

It wasn’t until this year that Cherishburg really took off. Whitelock’s Instagram page for her blog gained a large following that is interactive and responsive to her daily musings about the city they also call home.

“The best thing is the connections with other people or other businesses that I would have never met before,” she said.

For most of her content, Whitelock doesn’t receive payment, other than a compensated meal or experience, but that doesn’t matter to her. Fostering positivity within the city is her top priority.

“It was never about me to begin with,” she said. “It’s about the city, and it always will be.”

Under the Influence

Get your thumbs ready to follow and like the local influencers mentioned in this story:

Get Your CHIC on: @shantellrobertson, getyourchicon.com
onlygirl4boyz: @onlygirl4boyz, onlygirl4boyz.com
Foster the Foodie: @fosterthefoodie
Cherishburg: @cherishburg, cherishburg.com

York State of Mind: Discover food, beer and fashion in the historic, revitalized city center.

October 31, 2018 | by Maddie Crocenzi

The way Silas Chamberlin describes it, there’s the big three—Harrisburg, Lancaster and York.

That’s how the Downtown Inc CEO plays up the strengths of the region and pitches downtown York as a destination for business owners.

“The idea that you can explore communities in your backyard is becoming more and more tempting to people,” Chamberlin said.

York is a 30-minute trip down I-83 from Harrisburg. The city’s revitalization efforts have branded it a craft beer destination, a shopping oasis along Beaver Street and a place for businesses to collaborate.

In the past three years, Chamberlin said, 130 new businesses have opened in downtown York. That includes service-oriented companies such as law and engineering firms, but many new restaurants and retail spaces have popped up, as well.

There are both big names and new faces. The Yorktowne Hotel, under the Hilton flag, is a $30 million-plus redevelopment project, according to Chamberlin. It’ll be done in early 2020. A new restaurant specializing in pizza and whiskey recently opened called Fig and Barrel, and Chamberlin said that S. Beaver Street is now a destination during the city’s popular First Fridays event.

“The more variety we have and the more business growth, the better it is for everyone,” Chamberlin said.

This shopping season, you might want to day-trip down to the historic, revitalizing White Rose City for everything from clothes and accessories to dinner and drinks.

Elizabeth & West
44 W. Philadelphia St.

The quaint boutique right next to Central Market boasts a side entrance straight from the market and into the second room of the shop. Rebecca Wattenschaidt, the face behind the popular “Mommy in Heels” blog and Instagram account, started the store in December 2013 as an e-commerce endeavor.

She looked for a part-time job at Downtown Inc while waiting for the online store to turn a profit. The same minute she sent the email, she received another one from Downtown Inc asking if she was interested in some retail space downtown.

“The idea of having an actual storefront put the whole part-time job search on hold,” Wattenschaidt said.

She moved to her current location on W. Philadelphia Street 2½ years ago, expanding from an online shop to an actual storefront. Her goal for the store is to provide affordable pieces, while catering to a broad demographic.

The clothes focus on fun patterns and chunky knit sweaters for the season. Wattenschaidt even does “try on” videos on Instagram so women can see what near arrivals look like on an actual person.

“It’s me. It’s very personal,” Wattenschaidt said. “Your experience is very personal. In all my online orders, I always include a handwritten thank-you note, as well, which I really pride myself on.”

Hamir’s Indian Fusion
24 S. George St.

A little over five years ago, Hamir Patel was a general manager at Wendy’s when his friend Denise was diagnosed with breast cancer. A month later, his sister-in-law was also diagnosed.

It brought a passion for cooking to the forefront. Patel asked Denise what he could do to help, and she told him to cook for a good cause. Denise invited friends over to her home. Patel cooked, and a dream began.

He slowly started creating more recipes, combining the traditional flavors of Indian food with other cultural dishes such as Thai, Creole and Mediterranean. Denise and her friends are still his loyal taste testers.

“Once I get a green light from all of them, then it becomes a recipe,” Patel said.

He turned cooking into a home-based business and then auditioned at Taste Test York before opening a space on S. George Street. The restaurant is tucked away from the bustle of the market district, while simultaneously offering a homey vibe and a nice dinner spot for two. The décor on the walls is even donated by the women who helped him get his start.

That’s what it’s all about to Patel, who alternates between the chef who prepares your meals and the restaurant owner who tries to visit every table to talk to his guests. Meanwhile, plates of coconut curry chicken, Indo-Thai shrimp and many others make their way to tables.

“Food is something that brings people together,” Patel said. “It should be that way. You should have a good experience surrounded by your friends, colleagues, spouse.”

My Girlfriend’s Wardrobe
38 N. Beaver St.

This consignment shop traces its roots back to Harrisburg University, when owner Alexandria Keener-Hammond was looking for a meaningful internship. Her mother had always wanted to open a boutique, and, with a house full of clothes, it seemed like a good idea. Keener-Hammond, a web design major, went to her advisor and asked to start an online consignment business.

“It just kind of all came together one day with needing an internship and not knowing what to do and having all of these really great pieces in our closet that we were going to get rid of,” Keener-Hammond said.

Now, she owns My Girlfriend’s Wardrobe with her mom and runs the business full-time. They’ve been operating for six years and moved to their Beaver Street location this past May.

Stepping inside is like going to a friend’s house. There are exposed beams, a fireplace and exposed brick walls that make it feel more like a stumbled-upon gem. Items are typically priced at a third of what they originally sold for, and they carry brands from Chanel to American Eagle.

Keener-Hammond said that it’s not just the coveted Beaver Street location that makes My Girlfriend’s Wardrobe a destination. She’s noticed that more foot traffic downtown means her business grows every year.

“More and more people every day are realizing that downtown York is a really great place to come down and grab lunch and hang out with friends, or bring their kids on First Fridays and just have a really good time.”

Collusion Tap Works
105 S. Howard St.

There are now six breweries within a half-mile of each other in downtown York, according to Collusion Tap Works owner Jared Barnes. He called it “quite overwhelming” but is happy to see so many new restaurants, and even breweries, opening up that bring people downtown and give them options.

Collusion Tap Works opened in 2016 after Barnes worked for multiple breweries up and down the East Coast. The York Suburban grad lived a full life before he started making beer. He joined the military at age 18, came back to go to school for engineering and then started making beer in the basement of a place he worked at in Columbia, Pa.

The basement beer turned into a full-time gig. Barnes went to school to learn brewing in Chicago and then Germany. Eventually, he came back to York to work for himself.

Collusion is located in the trendy Royal Square area near Taste Test York and numerous art galleries. There’s plenty of parking, which is in demand in other downtown locations. The building itself is small but comfortable, with eclectic decorations that remind you fondly of your college dorm.

Barnes said they have 21 to 24 beers on tap depending on the day. Homunculus and the Fuzzy Scrumpit IPA are two of the most popular options, but there’s also a mix of sours and stouts.

“We don’t just brew one or two styles of beer,” Barnes said. “We’ve done 430-something different beers now since we’ve been open for two years. You’re going to have something new every time that you come to Collusion.”

Gusa by Victoria
252 W. Philadelphia St.

“I got married into the area, and when I came here there was absolutely nothing—or so it seemed—for me to do,” Victoria Kageni-Woodard said about her arrival in York.

Kageni-Woodard, originally from Kenya, started working in the construction industry to provide for her family. However, it was a passion for creating clothes that drew her to the United States in the first place.

She attended Savannah College of Art and Design to hone her sewing and fashion skills. After a few years of renting a space in Royal Square, she ended up on W. Philadelphia Street.

While her core product is sewing and fashion design, there’s no limit to the experiences at Gusa by Victoria. The clothes, all of which she makes herself, are bright and vibrant, reminiscent of many of the patterns in African fashion. However, Kageni-Woodard doesn’t stop there. She teaches sewing workshops and Swahili to kids and adults, hosts jazz nights outside of the shop and created the Gusa World Music Festival.

“I’m always trying to figure out other things to make it more lively,” she explained.

Kageni-Woodard also offers a dining experience called Gusa Dining Excursion. Every quarter, she picks a country from Africa and has a celebration, including native food, traditional dancers and even a class about the people and the culture. Next summer, she’s hoping to launch “Gusa Goes to Kenya” to bring a group of people, including her children, back to her home in Kenya.

Day Trip: York

In recent years, downtown York has become a haven for boutique browsers and shoppers. Here are a few more places to stop during your trip to the historic city center.

Central Market
34 W. Philadelphia St.

The arguable hub of downtown York, Central Market has a stand for everyone. Whether it’s a burrito or flavors of Africa, you will find it in the large building.

Cherie Anne
48 W. Philadelphia St.

Unique gifts and personal service are the hallmarks of Cherie Anne, a boutique featuring everything from hand-knitted clothes to gourmet food to locally made, artisanal products. Cherie Anne and daughter Amanda will steer you through their carefully curated, eclectic selection of handmade creations.

HIVE artspace
126 E. King St.

HIVE is an arts collective that features both local and national artists. It’s free and open to the public.

i-ron-ic
256 W. Philadelphia St.

This coffee shop also functions as an art and thrift boutique. Stop by the store in the WeCo neighborhood or check out the window downtown with a drive-thru menu for coffee.

Molly’s Courtyard Cafe
46 W. Philadelphia St.

The former Cherie Anne’s Courtyard Café recently changed names and moved right next door to a bigger space. The courtyard is still magical, especially on a nice night.

Redeux Vintage
113 S. Duke St.

Get your upcycling on at this secondhand marketplace, which features curated vintage goods from apparel and antiques to handmade jewelry.

Timeline Arcade
54 W. Market St.

Check out classic arcade games and new gaming consoles in both downtown York and Hanover.

York City Pretzel Co.
39 W. Market St.

These hand-twisted pretzels are made right downtown. Purchase them for your next party or stop in for a pretzel sandwich while you’re walking around.

All About the Bride: Daniel Thompson puts a lifetime of dreams, experience into his gowns.

June 29, 2018 | by Casey Kelly

Daniel Thomas

Many of us may remember writing notes to our idols as kids.

For some, it was the professional athletes and, for others, it was the actresses and singers. We’d check the mail for weeks after sending it, anxious for a reply. Sometimes, we’d get one—even if the handwriting did look oddly similar to one of our parents’.

For Daniel Thompson, that idol was Priscilla of Boston, an elite wedding dress designer who made her name after making Grace Kelly’s gown. In 10th grade, Thompson optimistically sent off his fan mail, proclaiming his dream to be just like her. To his surprise, he actually received an authentic reply.

“I told her that I wanted to be a bridal designer, and I asked her, ‘What should I do?’” Thompson said. “Well, I couldn’t believe it, that this star—at least to me—actually wrote back.”

Thompson, the owner of Daniel Thompson Bridals in Camp Hill, always knew he wanted to design wedding gowns. After growing up and graduating from high school in Carlisle, he took the advice Priscilla shared in her letter and headed straight for New York City to attend design school.

In New York, Thompson went to Traphagen School of Fashion, a private school that allowed him to concentrate on bridal design his entire time there.

After completing his design courses in 1976, he decided to reach out to his pen pal Priscilla again to thank her again for the words of encouragement she gave to him five years prior—and, of course, to let her know he was on the job market.

“She called me,” he said. “She said, ‘I want to meet you. So, I want you to come to my showroom in New York and show me your portfolio.’”

Thompson did exactly that, and the designer told him that, if he were willing to move to Boston, he’d have a job. He was there less than a week later.

“At the time, [Priscilla] was at the top of the industry,” Thompson said. “I mean, you just couldn’t get any higher than her. I was very lucky.”

After working for Priscilla of Boston for a few years, Thompson was homesick for New York. So, he made his way back and worked for several other companies for about eight years, until he decided to go off on his own. He stayed in the city for a while but eventually returned to Pennsylvania to be closer to family.

Along with the flexibility and freedom that comes with working for yourself, Thompson said he enjoys the human interaction he missed out on in past positions.

“I didn’t have any one-on-one interaction with the brides because I was stuck in the design room,” he said. “And I really like working with the customers.”

Very Special

When Thompson says “personal service,” he means precisely that.

He specializes in creating a unique experience for each bride, offering individual attention to his clients. Brides who visit his Camp Hill store, which he opened last September, will enjoy private meetings throughout the design process, as well as other couture perks.

Everything in Thompson’s extravagant shop was made by his hands with extraordinary care. Though there are around 75 dresses already on the racks at the boutique, brides can come in with their own ideas for a custom gown. Or they can start with a dress from the rack, then request alterations based on their preferences.

“I’ll adapt dresses,” he said. “Sometimes, I’ll put one dress on her because the top is right, then I’ll put another dress over that because the skirt is right. We really create the perfect dress right on her.”

After settling on the general style of the dress, Thompson and the bride discuss fabrics, lace, beading, trains and any other specific feature.

Before making the gown, he creates a mock-up of the dress in muslin fabric, an inexpensive material. This helps the bride see the shape of the dress in person, as well as try it on. Thompson will then make any necessary nips and tucks on the muslin, as well.

“So, we do this wonderful muslin fitting first, which is very couture,” Thompson said. “It’s not what you’ll get at a bridal shop. It’s very, very special.”

The muslin stage allows brides to make changes after seeing Thompson’s designs come to life. They may decide they actually want longer or shorter sleeves, a different neckline, fewer cut-outs or other attributes. So, Thompson can make these adjustments right on the muslin or create a new one, if needed.

Once the muslin fits perfectly and looks just right, he’ll proceed to creating the actual wedding dress. This typically happens in several stages. For example, he may perfect the top of the gown first so the bride can try it on with several different skirt options to decide which is best.

As part of the individualized experience, Thompson will make any alterations to the completed dress free of charge to ensure a perfect fit for the big day. He said it’s not unusual to meet with a bride between eight and 10 times from start to finish.

“It’s very personalized,” he said. “When I’m with a bride, no one else comes in to shop or look around.”

This high-end, tailored atmosphere aligns perfectly with Thompson’s motto, which he proudly displays in the store: “It’s All About the Bride.”

While having more time is always better, Thompson said six months to a year is the average lead time he recommends brides follow for a custom-made dress. Prices typically range from $2,000 to $2,500.

In addition to wedding gowns, Thompson can create “anything fancy”—from bat mitzvah dresses to elegant gowns for mothers of the bride, flower girls, first communion, “sweet sixteen” or even just evening wear.

Whatever the occasion, there’s one common element—Thompson’s undivided attention and expertise.

“I like the personal service very much,” he said. “And, in this industry, that’s important.”

Daniel Thompson Bridals is located at 2133 Market St., 2nd Floor, Camp Hill. Call 717-525-9920 for an appointment.

All That Sparkles: Munn’s Diamond Gallery celebrates 40 years in the bling biz.

February 28, 2018 | by Stephanie Kalina-Metzger

Chris Munn gazes towards the ceiling as he drifts back to the day when he was but a little tyke sitting in the back of his parents’ car.

“I remember my dad pointing to this building and saying that’s where he wanted to open a store,” he said, referring to the structure located on Market Street in Lemoyne.

Munn reflects upon how a friend was instrumental in convincing his father Sheldon to abandon the restaurant business in Wilkes-Barre and open a jewelry store in Lemoyne.

“He always had an interest in jewelry and design,” Munn said.

After many conversations with a jeweler friend, Sheldon decided to take the leap and open Munn’s Diamond Gallery in that spot.

“He bent his ear long enough to finally convince him,” said Munn, who marvels at the fact that he’s now been in the business as long as his father. “Sheldon was here for 20 years, and now I’ve had it for 20.”

So, how did the Munns manage to survive 40 long years in a tough business? Take care of the customer and the business will take care of itself, Munn said.

“When a new customer comes into our store, I view them as having lifelong potential,” he said. “I value every customer, and I realize, for them to return, I have to earn their trust.”

We Can Make It
Munn’s retail space consists of several rooms, with dozens of display cases featuring wedding bands, anniversary rings, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, rings and other items designed to add an exclamation point to a well put-together look.

“We divide our collection into fashion and bridal,” said Munn, adding that he always tries to find pieces that are unique and distinctive, with a wide range of prices. “People can come in and purchase a nice pair of earrings for $80, or something as stunning as this 18K, yellow-and-white gold, handmade pendant containing 108 round diamonds for $7,500.”

In recent years, Munn’s has experienced growth in made-to-order pieces, driven, in part, by technology.

“We’re doing much more customized work these days,” Munn said. “People come in with a Pinterest picture or an item they saw online and ask us if we can make it.”

Munn has little nostalgia for the days when he had to draw a design on paper, carve it by hand in wax, then make it into a mold.

“Today, we draw it on paper, then import that into computer software, which communicates with a 3-D printer to carve the wax with excruciating precision. Then that goes into a mold for casting,” Munn said. “The software comes at a price, but you can do 10 pieces a month.”

As a result, custom jewelry has come down in price relative to hand carving, since labor time has been reduced. Laser welding makes customizing jewelry easier, as well.

“The technology uses amplified light, rather than heat or flame to solder and fuse metal together,” said Munn.

Munn has witnessed his share of fashion trends over the years.

“Prior to 2006, we rarely carried silver,” he said. “When the price of gold went up to $1,900 an ounce, suddenly designers started making more silver. Designers you’d never heard of before became front and center.”

Gold has since come down in price, but silver has maintained its place in the world of jewelry fashion.

“Today, it is an accepted fine jewelry metal, where before it was relegated to turquoise and costume jewelry,” Munn said.

Fun Ride
Judy Buszka began shopping at Munn’s after she moved to the area from that jewelry mecca known as New York City,

“I needed a jeweler and heard good things about Munn’s,” she said. “Sometimes, I worry about the smaller stores being a little intimidating, but I needed something repaired and everyone was so nice and friendly that I knew I would be coming back.”

Steve Mosey has been a Munn’s customer for about five years and likes the fact that he always has the opportunity to interact with the owner when he visits.

“I get personalized service and never feel as if I’m being pressured,” said the Lower Paxton Township resident, who has bought a variety of jewelry for his wife—from colored pearls to diamond pendants and earrings. “Chris’ selection is unique and, if my wife decides she doesn’t like something, she is free to exchange it for something else.”

For Munn, the business has been a fun ride, and he credits his staff for being by his side.

“People tend to stick with me,” he said.

The fact that he gets to talk with people and use his creativity is the icing on the cake.

“I like conversation to a fault and enjoy talking with people,” he said. “Over the counter is where I want to be—with customers, creating, designing, buying and sharing. Fortunately, that matched up with my dad entering into the business all those years ago.”

Munn’s Diamond Gallery is located at 1203 Market St., Lemoyne. For more information, call 717-761-8310 or visit or www.munns.net.

Clothes, Style, Family: Margaret Miller brings a boutique experience to the Carlisle Pike.

February 28, 2018 | by Rachel Jenkins

Margaret Miller

As you walk into Margaret Miller’s new boutique, you’re greeted by the warm glow of handcrafted candles burning alongside trendy earrings, necklaces and water bottles. The walls are lined with vibrant, colorful clothing that she has selected for occasions ranging from formal galas to a casual day at the office.

In January, Miller opened Three Little Birds Boutique on the Carlisle Pike after noticing a lack of sophisticated, stylish shopping in the area. She believes she is filling a void with pieces that can’t be found in big chain stores.

“This is a boutique that was created because I love beautiful clothes and because of the lack of shopping that there is in central Pennsylvania for pieces that were not typical,” she said. “We need pieces that have more quality, not just a one-season use.”

Miller also emphasizes the total shopping experience. From face wipes in the changing room to chilled champagne by the register, she has created a personal, pampering environment.

“I have pieces that you want to go out and feel sexy in and pieces that you want to feel conservative and modest in,” Miller said. “So, when I pull stuff and when I buy, I try not to discriminate by size, style, age and wallet. I have tops that are $38, and I have tops that are $115. My goal is for everyone to try on and find something they love here.”

Before opening her shop, Miller sold clothes as a fashion consultant with the national brand, LuLaRoe. She said that she began working with LuLaRoe to help herself feel beautiful and stylish again after having her third child.

In the process, she discovered that she could reach women all over the country by styling new pieces with what they may already have in their closets, then posting pictures of the results online.

“A lot of women really responded to seeing me in the clothes. I really started building relationships with these women through messaging,” Miller said. “I have all these relationships all over the country, and it obviously builds trust.”

When Miller started her own business, her online relationships paid off. Many clients followed her, which kept her dream afloat during months of unexpected construction and permit delays for her shop, which caused her to miss crucial seasonal shopping days like Black Friday and Small Business Saturday.

“We had our floors and white walls, that was it,” Miller said. “And in one week, my husband, myself [and shop employees], we did everything. My husband built the fitting rooms, he put the shelving up, and we painted all the shelves.”

After assembling the decor and moving a large inventory of clothing from her house to the store, Miller was finally able to open her doors on Jan. 20. Now, between the physical store, its website and social media presence, customers are discovering the boutique almost every day.

The store’s logo logically features its namesake—three little birds, perched atop a diamond. For Miller, this represents the perfect blend of motherhood, family and sophistication.

“I have twins,” she said. “When they were little, I needed a song to sing to them when they slept. I sang ‘Three Little Birds,’ and then more meaning came to it when I had my third child.”

To keep her logo on-brand with her store’s sophisticated sense of style, Miller incorporated a diamond and made it a deep burgundy color.

“This is to remind women that we’re sophisticated here,” she said. “Everything that I’m doing here and the look is high class. But it still stems from that motherhood. I have that connection to the family too.”

Miller is a former teacher at the Milton Hershey School, and she has used that perspective to shape her shop.

“I never want someone to come in here feeling defeated or deflated,” she said. “Sometimes, when I walk into a place and I can’t afford one thing, I feel really bad. I would think of my teacher paycheck, and I couldn’t afford an $80 sweater when I was a teacher in my 20s.”

Now, she’s taken her own life experiences and put them toward creating a welcoming atmosphere that she hopes other women will appreciate.

“The worst fear of mine is someone leaving and feeling guilty about something they bought or regretting something that they bought,” Miller said. “I always want someone to have a positive feeling with the Three Little Birds.”

Three Little Birds Boutique is located at 6455 Carlisle Pike, Mechanicsburg. For more information, visit www.tlbboutique.com or the Facebook page or call 717-309-2348.

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