Complete Remodel Coming to Downtown Boutique
Younger shoppers will enjoy clothes meant just for them at Rae Baxter’s Fashions.
The downtown staple for women’s clothing is undergoing a complete makeover while staying true to its customer base, with new flooring and walls for a more contemporary look.
“It’s been a long time coming,” said owner Carol Knauf. “What prompted it is the fact we’re bringing in younger lines to appeal to the 25-35 year-old.”
The new lines have garnered a positive response. “Since we started, I cannot get over the women who come in here and they just love it!” she said. “The clothes look different. I think it highlights and accents them better. It just shows them off more.”
While Rae Baxter’s is bringing in newer lines, it hasn’t forgotten its customer base. With 3-5,000 items of clothes per season in sizes 2 to 3X, there is no shortage of choice. “We help them with whatever they have already, and we can add to it. That’s what we really like to do,” said Knauf. “We work with what their needs are.”
One of the perks of shopping in the boutique is the personal touch not found in larger stores or by going online. With an eye for fashion honed by decades of experience, Rae Baxter’s helps women pick out their best fit and will give honest suggestions.
“We’re finding that people like our honesty. That’s what we’re here for,” said Knauf. “I can sell anybody, but that’s not the point. I want them to look good so someone will say, ‘where did you buy that?’”
The closure of Younkers in the mall has affected the store. “I think every person that comes in the store talks about that. They feel so bad for all the people involved,” said Knauf. With the gap the closure will create, she hopes to reach out to those shoppers and make them aware that there are still options for them close to home.
“We always say, there’s no charge trying!” she said.
Find Rae Baxter’s Fashions at 345 S Central Ave. The store is open Monday through Friday from 9:30-5:30 p.m. and Saturday from 9:30-4 p.m. They are also a participant in Your Thursdays, and are open until 7:30 on Thursday evenings to allow extra time for shoppers who work regular hours to shop during the week.
