[dropcap type =”circle”]S[/dropcap]hops across Bicester are getting ready for the Christmas season, and at Options Beauty and the Boutique in Crown Walk customers will have a chance to pick up gifts and party wear at a special shopping evening on Thursday December 8.
The independent boutique is a real one stop shop for fashion and beauty, as when customers have browsed the clothes and accessories downstairs, they can indulge in some pampering treatments in the beauty studio upstairs.
Owned by husband and wife team Jane and Kevin Whiteley, fresh stock is brought in every two weeks to keep the rails interesting and to ensure customers always have something new to buy.
Jane said: “We opened the shop in July 2010 down a little side street in Bicester just as the economic gloom started to take hold. It’s a family run business run and so far three of our four daughters have had their first ever jobs working in the shop.
“I remember thinking could there possibly be a worse time to open a retail shop with all the negative economic news at the time, but we decided to stick with it as we have a passion for fashion and thought what better way to put a smile back on your face than treat yourself to something nice.”
Jane added: “When we buy stock I always lean towards clothes that I would wear myself. This helps me make recommendations to customers. I like nothing better than having a “Gok makeover session with a customer putting outfits together, Trust me if it’s not looking good I will be honest as we want customers to be happy when you leave the shop.”
Six years later the business is thriving following a recent move to a new shop in Bicester High Street. As well as a range of hand-picked clothes and accessories, Jane, who has 28 years of experience as a beauty therapist, now also runs a beauty studio upstairs.
She added: “We are very excited that we are now selling clothes, jewellery, scarves and handbags as well as shoes and an expanded range of leather handbags. We opened the beauty treatment room upstairs to help treat our customers even more and offer the full wardrobe and beauty makeover experience.”
Options Beauty and the Boutique Christmas Shopping Evening is from 7-9pm on Thursday December 8. Options can be found in Crown Walk, just off the High Street.
