|
New store penetrates Boone |
|
|
|
Tuesday, 02 October 2007 |
by LINDSAY CRAVEN
Lifestyles Reporter
Boone has a pretty racy new secret.
Night Secrets, now open on Blowing Rock Road, hopes to supply customers with adult toys, adult videos, lingerie, adult Halloween costumes, and bachelor or bachelorette needs.
This is the second Night Secrets store to open, the first being in Hickory 12 years ago.
“My
grandfather had a manufacturing couple that sold lady’s lingerie but it
was more like the company ‘Shattalon’ that used to be here in Boone,
which sold more of just the basic lingerie so my family has been in the
lingerie business for probably 60 years,” store owner Susan Hutchens
said. “So I guess I’m following in family tradition."
Hutchens has applied her own unique twist on the family business and said her family is very proud of her success.
One might expect that Hutchens was met with some town resistance due to
the nature of the store but she said things have gone smoothly.
 “We want Night Secrets to be respectful, diverse, and tasteful-but fun also,” said Sandra Hutchens, owner of Night Secrets and ASU alumnae (79’). A variety of sex toys and costumes can be found within the store. Shanel Boston
|
“I guess Boone from the outside is seen as more liberal because of the
college, more open minded, and there were already stores here that were
selling similar products so it wasn’t any big shock to anybody,”
Hutchens said.
Previously, Expressions was the only store in Boone offering an adult
selection similar to Night Secrets, but Hutchens does not consider the
two to be competition.
“We’re really not in the same market as they are. They sell a lot of
products that we don’t sell,” Hutchens said. “We sell some products
that are alike but I think there’s room for everybody.”
Hutchens is an Appalachian State graduate and is excited to be opening a store here.
“I love it; I graduated a few years ago. I’m originally from Wilkesboro
and that is currently where we live so this is good proximity between
Wilkesboro, between Hickory and Boone,” Hutchens said. “I also have a
daughter that’s 10 years old and in fifth grade so it’s important for
me that I have locations that I can be home and be mom by 3 p.m. and
let the store run. That part of my life is extremely important, too.”
Hutchens believes the main thing that will set her store apart from her
competitors is a friendly and knowledgeable staff and also, the store’s
extensive collection of plus size lingerie.
“We go all the way up to a 6X or a 52 and you’ll find items that are
colorful and beautiful,” Hutchens said. “Not just ‘ok this is my gown
in black’ in a size 6X. We carry beautiful things in all sizes because
people come in all sizes.”
Hutchens says one of the biggest misconceptions about Night Secrets is that it caters only to younger customers.
“We have customers of all ages. A lot of people think that it’s just
young people for this store but the baby boomers that are in their 40s
and 50s [are] very interested in these stores because they can spice up
their life, spice up their marriage, have a little fantasy back,”
Hutchens said.
Hutchens said customers are generally pleased with the variety of products in stock at her stores.
“A variety of ages [come] into our store that are pleasantly pleased
that we don’t just carry just the little bitty skimpy stuff but we
carry lingerie that is still sexy and has a little bit more coverage.
We have something for everybody; if you’re big, small, tall, short
whatever your size.”
A particular interest for students may be the adult Halloween costume selection.
“We’ve brought in about 100 different styles of costumes with all the
accessories, the hosiery, the adornments, everything,” Hutchens said.
“That’s about the first wall that kids hit - the [Appalachian State]
college kids. They love the costumes. I understand there are quite a
few Halloween parties on campus and in the surrounding area.”
Hutchens extends an invitation to Appalachian State students, as well as community members.
“I would like everyone to come visit our store,” she said. “Come walk
through it and talk to us and give us your opinion. If we’re not
carrying something you’d like us to carry let us know and we’ll try to
get it. We can’t wait to meet everyone in Boone.”
Trackback(0)
 |
Lifestyles 
TrackBack URI for this entry
Show/Hide comments
