Two more clothing stores open at Mall
Two apparel stores set up shop this week at the Spokane Valley Mall.
Casual Corner Annex and Casual Corner Annex Petite opened in two connected storefronts on Monday, and on Thursday Aeropostale opened a 3,800-square-foot store. Aeropostale, part of a national 500-store chain that sells specialty clothing for teens and young, is across from Marketplace Gifts on the main floor and offers a mix of trendy clothes and accessories and swimwear.
Last year the company opened a NorthTown Mall store. After experiencing success, executives decided to open a second store at the Valley Mall, said Carrie Killinger, manager of the Valley Aeropostale.
“We’ve done really well in the Spokane area,” said Killinger, adding that the chain is gaining momentum throughout the Northwest.
For store hours and other information, call 893-1157.
Casual Corner transferred its store from the Post Falls Outlet Mall to the Spokane Valley Mall.
The Casual Corner Group, which owns the stores, is a subsidiary of Retail Brand Alliance that runs about 1,000 stores under three different retail names.
Store manager Coki VanOrman said the move allowed the business to create a double-storefront, showcasing the addition of a full-line of clothing in petite sizes, and to add shoes to the line-up. Additionally, the old location lacked a stockroom, so the store often ran short of some sizes.
“It kind of broadens possibilities because if it wasn’t out on the floor at the other store, we didn’t have it,” VanOrman said.
Casual Corner Annex and Casual Corner Annex Petite are on the main floor, near JC Penney Co. For information, call 927-7800.
Old chicken coop is clever display
Folksy hand-painted chickens have come to roost in an old coop that’s been transformed into a tiny gift shop.
Ryoko French and her husband Craig re-roofed the coop, which sits in the back yard of their home at 317 S. Adams Road, as a place to showcase Ryoko French’s crafts.
“We thought that we could have the craft sales and it would be beautiful,” Ryoko French said.
Situated at the end of a short pathway through the yard is In the Coop, an unusual marriage of home-business and gift shop.
The shop’s eclectic yard art includes weathered birdhouses, welcome signs and a planter that’s a chair handcrafted from twigs.
Inside, a room that once held egg-laying hens now displays jewelry and country décor and an adjacent cow stall is a quaint backdrop for Victorian-style and other collectibles. Browsers can find an assortment of collectibles in country, shabby chic, lodge and other styles.
“I try to keep the prices reasonable because I don’t have a lot of overhead,” said Ryoko French, a crafter with 17 years experience arranging silk and cut flowers.
The business is open one day a week, Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. or by appointment by calling 926-9061.
Tiny Togs has a new owner
Sherry McLean recently purchased Tiny Togs, 11514 E. Sprague Ave. The shop sells second-hand and new baby supplies and clothing in sizes from infant through children’s size 16. The business also sells maternity clothes and toys.
McLean has added Teddy Toes Blankets, which are shaped like a star and provide a snuggly wrap for infants. Also available are Bobby Pillows, a doughnut-shaped pillow that helps infants sit upright while nursing and Cozy Covers, which are specifically shaped to accommodate car seats and zip down the center.
“It’s basically just going to be a family (operated) business,” said McLean. Hours are 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays.