Shopping is Good for the Soul

What inspired you two and Lauren open Therapy Boutique?
One day we decided to meet on the beach to discuss what we thought was
missing from Wakefield. And voila! Wakefield was missing an upscale shopping location. So many people from New York, Connecticut and New Jersey who have summer homes here come to our state and are used to shopping a certain way. The lines we have in our store are the ones you get in specialty stores – Nordstrom, Saks and Bloomingdale's – and this is what our customers are looking for. You don’t have to travel all the way to Providence to have access to these contemporary lines. We are filling an upscale need.

Describe your favorite designer lines you carry.

We carry a large selection of premium denim lines including AG, Joes, James, Citizens of Humanity, Big Star and Jag. It's about the right cut; it's just as personal as a bathing suit. Other popular clothing lines include Ella Moss, Splendid, Bailey44, Johnny Was, Parker, Velvet, Language, Free People, Kensie and Calypso. Other than separates, we also carry a selection of dresses from Bailey44, Julienne and Weston Wear perfect for weddings and other more formal events. You’d be surprised how many of our customers come in needing that perfect top for a night out.

What type of jewelry can customers expect to see?
We offer an array of affordable and fun jewelry lines. Featured jewelry lines are
Chan Luu (customers asked for it), Alchemy necklaces (out of LA) and Kendra
Philip (a local from Narragansett with her design studio in Pawtucket) initial necklaces ($45), which are gold on one side and silver on the other. Our philosophy with our jewelry is that it must be easy to pick up, affordable and looks on-trend – but because you will be spending a bit more money, it has be that special. We’re also looking for something that goes with our clothing. We get a lot of our ideas from Vogue and InStyle and the majority of buying is done in New York. What we see happening in New York has to translate to Wakefield.

Do you try to keep up on trends or do you prefer your own sense of fashion?
At Therapy we believe that clothing should be fun, never boring, regardless
of age. Our customers' ages range from 16-70. Therapy’s style is a unique blend of on-trend and classic, wearable designs. Mothers and daughters shop together. I’s more of a state of mind in how you dress – age appropriately and always having fun.

What are some classic pieces that never go out of style?
Skinny jeans are a trendy style that will be around for a while. Tucking them into
boots paired with an oversize sweater or blouse gives them a more classic New England look. Cashmere sweaters never go out of style and make a great gift. We carry 360 Cashmere, Autumn Cashmere and Subtle Luxury.

Are there any ways you give back to the community?
Therapy Boutique has donated auction items to all community events in South
Kingstown as well as being a member of the Downtown Merchants Association,
the group that plans the downtown festivals and beautifies downtown.

Can we look forward to any upcoming events?

The last event of the season will be an afternoon of shopping, with special discounts, in conjunction with Artisans Boutique on Saturday, December 22. Come January we will have Resort to Spring lines to peruse, that summer stuff for vacationers like strapless maxis and bright colors.

How has social media helped reach out to potential shoppers?
Social media moves so quickly and there is no getting past it. We’ve found that Facebook is a great way to keep up with our customers and potential customers. We’ll pop a picture on our page when we get a shipment and we’ll often get orders immediately! We also ship out of state to accommodate our growing customer base. We’re also working on getting on Pinterest. The interactive part is what makes social media so interesting, there is an immediate connection you get with Facebook.