fashion HITS THE ROAD BY SHARON L. PATE
M
obile boutiques, which are all the rage on the west and east coasts, have arrived in our region thanks to a forward-thinking entrepreneur, Emily Ponath owner of Rack + Clutch, and the non-profit organization Connections to Success, which founded the shopping truck, Mystique Boutique.
Fashion trucks are an alternate way of shopping in the region. The multitude of top-rated brick and mortar boutiques along with the addition of the ultra-modern vibe of mobile boutiques will ensure that the Greater St. Louis area remains as one of the best shopping destinations in the Midwest. Fashion trucks offer customers an intimate and convenient shopping experience where they work and socialize. The ease in which a fashion truck can be prepped for events ensures that trendy clothing and accessories are readily accessible to fashion-lovers. The owner of a mobile boutique, as a result, is soon able to gain a devoted customer-base. Many entrepreneurs, whom initially launched mobile boutiques, were later able to launch an 20
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UPTOWN MAGAZINE
online or brick and mortar boutique as a result of the rapid increase in earnings that resulted from opening their mobile boutique. Rack + Clutch, a mobile boutique launched in April, sells trendy apparel and accessories by commercial and independent designers. The owner, Emily Ponath, ensures that her boutique curates chic merchandise by searching for unique items in the United States. Her experience as a former buyer for boutiques is very apparent based on the vast selection of garments in her boutique by apparel lines such as Xtaren and Sweet Rain. I was, particularly, impressed with the jewelry collection during my visit to the boutique on August 7. The costs of apparel and accessories ranges from $6 to $50.The costs of merchandise; however, will vary based on