Count Down to Store Opening!

My days are numbered and I'm slowly approaching D-day, that is, the Stacia store opening! Running around like crazy to get everything done, but slowly but surely it's coming together.

Finally the curtains were installed to separate my design studio from the retail front - a crisp white canvas curtain plus a breezy sheer overlay so I can see you, but you can't see my lovely inventory shelves and messy design studio. I already feel like Oz behind the wall of curtains, secretly creating new designs for my customers for next season! And my good 'ol wrought iron dressing room rod has made it's way all the way from Brooklyn from Stacia New York's Smith Street days and is now hanging in my Santa Monica bungalow shop.

The two biggest hurdles have been the SIGN (and dealing with the City of Santa Monica for the permit!) and the cash wrap counter. I'm not doing anything too crazy on the sign, just a basic awning in my trademark blue with the Stacia logo, but going through all the levels of bureaucracy down at City Hall has been a thorn in my side for weeks now. Who knew everybody and his brother downtown would want a piece of my sign action - $385 here, $265 there, $91 here, $397 there...from the City Planning Division to the Building Safety dept. to the Records Management - over 50% of my sign cost going to the lovely city of Santa Monica (your welcome!)

The second hurdle has been the cash wrap counter. Was hoping to find a clean white counter somewhere in the market, ready-made, but nothing quite fit the bill. I dreaded the thought of custom-making a cabinet as I didn't want to spend thousands of dollars and break the bank. But luckily I found a great woodworker, John Summerville (doesn't his name sound like a woodworker's name?!) through my handyman and was able to get something custom built, yet affordable. I'm so happy with the results. Just needs a few coats of white paint and I'm in business!

Two days to go...just bought a new iMac today for the retail store (cha-ching), in the process of upgrading software (ugh!), and finally getting some inventory on the floor. The store has been strewn with rags, paint cans, nails, and dust for weeks, so hoping to clean up and get some of my sweaters priced and on the sales floor by Saturday. 40% off Spring/Summer and the new Fall line coming in July 21st! Still need to lay down the new sky blue Flor rug too...

The good news is I have two great shopgirls for Stacia on Montana Avenue. Val and Jess will be your go-to-gals for anything Stacia in the new shop. They'll be like your very own personal shopper/stylist who's only job is to assist you with your Stacia experience. The bungalow-inspired shop should feel like your favorite beach hang-out, where you can peruse some beachy knits, sip some cucumber-laced water, relax in my garden and take in the ocean breezes. Hope to see you this Saturday, July 16th for our store opening. Store hours are Tuesday thru Saturday 10 to 6, Sundays 11 to 5, and closed on Mondays.

The Stacia Shop
808 11th Street at Montana Avenue
Santa Monica, CA 90403
Phone 310.393.7100.