Spring Comes to Savvy Spirit

Some folks look for the first crocuses, some for the first robin of spring and then there are fashion lovers who look for the first blast of color, splashed upon linen and cotton to signify a welcome change of season.  Savvy Style’s co-owners, Rosemary Doherty and  Linda Kalebic have a hand in the timing of spring, at least where their store is concerned and the garden of blouses just inside the door are a hopeful sign.

Women have been turning up to see what’s new at Savvy Style for 15 years and Doherty and Kalebic keep that shopper in mind when they choose which lines to carry.  Doherty describes her customer as, “Someone who wants to be updated but not super trendy and not feel like they’re wearing old lady clothes.  We try and make people feel comfortable and updated without thinking they’re dressed too young.”

Doherty and Kalebic and staff make certain comfort is a key component of the shop located in the Barrington Ice House Mall, providing a relaxing environment which goes hand in hand with the interesting and diverse stock. Customers browse freely and aren’t pressured in any way and the store keeps an area with toys available to give moms a hand while they shop.

The staff isn’t standoffish however.  Friendliness and interest in people is the catalyst for the comfortable atmosphere. “If customers look like they want to talk, then I talk,” Doherty said with a laugh. “My husband calls me Barbara Walters because I’m interested in people.”

Interest in the customer is what drives the business.  Doherty considers herself an expert at guessing a customer’s taste based on what they are drawn to in the store. “You can tell if a customer stays away from pattern or ruffle.  You can get that feel,” she said.

When a shopper is looking for a specific item or simply to update her wardrobe Savvy Spirit encourages them to bring in last years skirt or the dress in need of a new accessory so the staff can guide them through the process of building upon what they already own.

“We tell people to feel free to bring anything they have from home if they want an update or to get new jewelry for it.”

She adds that special orders are available for those that have a specific item in mind or just need more to choose from.

Doherty and Kalebic provide plenty of opportunity to make and educated an guess about customer preferences.  The space is utilized well with a surprising amount of clothing and jewelry for diverse styles and preferences with plenty of space between racks.  The staff creates displays of combinations of merchandise throughout the store that suggest clothes that can be combined for an individual look.  “We don’t buy outfits from any vendor at all, we put everything together ourselves.  We have a good eye for making sure you don’t look like everybody else,” she said.  “That’s what makes us different.”

Another aspect that makes Savvy Spirit unique is the care that is taken to provide a variety of unique items. The owners select their stock from small designers around the globe to make sure their customers won’t run into an awkward look-a-like on the street.  “I’m big on texture, I’m big on pretty fabrics.  We try not to carry things you’d find in a department store,” Doherty said.

All in all, the successful blending of a comfortable environment with diverse apparel choices can be demonstrated by the fact that some customers feel so at ease in the store that they’ve planned parties there.  The parties are thrown while the store is closed and Doherty and Linda host in more ways than one. “As long as you have about eight to 10 people, both Linda and I like to cook so we make hors d'oeuvres and have wine.”

For more information call: 847-381-6772 

Hours:

Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday: 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Thursday: 9:30 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Sunday: Noon - 4 p.m.