Bella Boutique opens doors 5 days a month
by Tracy Frank, INFORUM Posted on 9/15/2009
When Bella Boutique in West Fargo opens its doors, customers say it's not just another shopping day, it's an event.
That's because the women's fashion store located in the West Fargo Pioneer Center is only open five days a month. And every month, the shop offers customers new merchandise.
Karen Dame of Fargo said she shops in the boutique about every other month. She said she probably goes to Bella more often than to other shops because of the limited days. "It's something to look forward to," said Dame, whose 14-year-old daughter, Courteney, is also a Bella fan.
The store, which sells designer-inspired handbags, jewelry, accessories and clothing, is open the first Wednesday through Sunday of every month.
When the store is closed, Bella's owners fly around the nation purchasing trendy items for their stores.
"It gives us a chance to go and get a lot of new product," said Jill Forsberg, manager of the West Fargo Bella Boutique who will take over ownership of the store in the next couple of months.
"We get about 500 to 600 new purses a month, tons of new accessories every month, and it gives us a chance to set every thing up so that the customers know every time they come in that it's going to be different," she said.
They hand-pick their merchandise instead of ordering it online so they can feel the quality, see how it's made, and talk to the vendors, Forsberg said.
There are seven Bella Boutique stores with an eighth slated to open in Rapid City, S.D., next month.
Cindy Bowser and Amy Jech started the company, based in St. Michael, Minn., three years ago. They started out owning all of their stores but decided to franchise them.
"Even with the way the economy is, it's appealing to women who are looking for a rewarding career," Bowser said. "It is in a sense a part-time type of business, which is unusual in the retail world."
Bowser said she will receive two to three inquiries a week from women who want to open Bella Boutique stores.
"It's a proven model," Bowser said. "The business has been successful."
The West Fargo shop was the second to open and has been open the longest - since October 2006.
The first Bella Boutique opened in Sartell, Minn., in June 2006, but has since been purchased by another company, Forsberg said. Dame has been a loyal customer since the West Fargo boutique opened, she said.
"I love it. It is such a fun store," Dame said. "Everything's priced reasonably. You don't have so much guilt going back and switching out your handbags. The selection is wonderful."
Most of the purses range from $35 to $43. "Our motto is to look trendy without being spendy," Forsberg said.
Bella offers private parties Monday or Tuesday of opening week with a minimum of 10 shoppers. It's a popular event for birthday parties and bachelorette parties, Forsberg said.
The store also offers a "Handbag Therapy Club" through which customers can earn a free handbag up to a $30 value for every $200 spent.
Business profile: Bella Boutique:
• Ownership: Cindy Bowser, Amy Jech. *Manager Jill Forsberg and her husband, Preston Forsberg, will take over ownership in the next couple of months.
• Where: 1420 9th St. E., West Fargo, Pioneer Center
• Hours: The first Wednesday through Sunday of every month. 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.
