Thinking of Opening a New Lingerie Store (Richmond, Roanoke: for sale, home)

[IrieC]

Hi, I am new to this site. I found it by chance a week ago and decided to sign up. This idea of opening a beautiful and NY city-like lingerie store has been brewing inside me for years. Travelling to NY is getting a bit expensive, but still fun, to get my lingerie. I have worked in retail and customer service for years but my passion has always been with lingerie and art.

Yes, I really want to open a great lingerie store here in Roanoke, not just for myself but for the women of the valley. Every woman deserves to have a place where she can go to get that great lingerie, feel comfortable doing so, in a beautifully designed store and treated like a queen. Every community should have one. I mean a store that sells quality lingerie. And ladies, we buy these for ourselves more than for our significant other. I am tired of shopping online and being robbed the pleasure of trying on sexy and completely irresistible corsets and lingerie in a real store. Online is convenient but nothing beats real time shopping with your bf/husband or having a nice customer service person help you. Nothing beats a real human-being putting you in that magical lingerie that transforms every curve and shape making you into a goddess, that will brighten your day and give you that secret smirk at work knowing your man at home is in for it later, because you know he will faint when he sees you .

Victoria Secrets, Belks and Macy's and all the other department and non-lingerie specialty stores are not cutting it for me. I want more class, elegance, atmosphere, comfortable privacy, and expert attention; oh yeah champagne or water on offer don't hurt . Since I can't get it for myself here in Roanoke I want to do it for other women. I want to incorporate what I learnt from Agent Provocateur, and shopping at Orchard and other specialty lingerie stores in NY city to fit right here in Roanoke. I had to go out of town to get that comfort and luxury; actually touching the latest mouth watering designs, being fussed over, given and looking at various lingerie. Why not Roanoke? Are we not good enough for silk?
I was thinking of downtown, Valley View Mall, Towne Square or Tanglewood Mall. But the malls won't give the feeling of privacy I was going for.
So what do you think Roanokers? Would this be good idea for our community?

[RoanokeWahoo]

I feel a little funny replying to this, but wanted to share something related. My wife travels to Richmond, Philly and like you, NYC for bras and underwear. I know that seems silly to a lot of people, but according to her, getting "fit" correctly for bras is very important to her and there is nothing like that here in Noke. If you carry the right brands and provide the service you are talking about, I think my wife will be a customer of yours.

Also, I think downtown or West Village in SWCO would be great locations.

Best of luck to you!!!!

[IrieC]

Thanks for replying RoanokeWahoo. I appreciate your valuable input. That's the thing women love men and their men who cares about lingerie. I think more women would feel comfortable buying for themselves if they know their men really cares. Thank goodness I have one who does. No need to feel funny, you are in my book for replying.
Romance and the fine things in life, like lingerie are for Americans to own, discuss and openly talked about not just Europeans. Drives me up the wall when I hear Europeans say we in the States, are not fashionable.

[roanoker 4]

Yes, I agree a unique type store such as yours would be a big hit! I think downtown would be the best choice, in my opinion! I have heard comments from women who must travel to Richmond and NC for finer womens' items.

[CapsChick]

I think probably The Forum Shops on Starkey Rd. would be a better location than downtown for this type of store. I have no idea if they have any vacancies, though.

[ikimashokie]

I know this thread is nearly a year old, but YES. I've had one all planned in my head for at least two years, thinking of all the great things I'd carry, and I'm always looking at buildings for sale/lease as potential places for such a shop. Not that I could afford it, but I can dream, right?

I am so tired of not having a place in Roanoke to buy bras. I am so tired of everyone saying "Have you been to Victoria's Secret?" I'm so tired of seeing other women in terribly fitting bras, even though it doesn't affect me one bit. The lack of a quality lingerie shop in the area (the ones in Lynchburg/Lexington are mediocre at best) is a gaping hole in the retail scene here.

[j1n]

There is (was?) something along those lines on Orange Ave east of the Civic Center. Not sure I've ever seen any activity there. Don't know if they are open or closed or went out of business or what. There just might not be enough interest to support a business like that. It's a Wally World 'round here.