Claire Marie’s: A Personalized Boutique Experience in Central

By Mia Freneaux

    Looking at Claire Marie’s Boutique with its attractive displays and welcoming ambience, one would never know that it all began with an idea and a cottage industry.  Sandy Antoon, owner of Claire Marie’s, used her talents with a sewing machine to start a business providing small industrial sewing jobs back in 1988.  Sandy, undaunted by what is a traditionally male dominated industry, drove ahead, expanding her home-based business to include tarpaulins and camper covers.  “You know you’re working hard,” she says, “when you fall out of the pop-up you’re fitting a cover on!”  Her first customer was Lindsey’s Space Walks, who hired her to manufacture their red and white tents.  Over time, she was able to hire employees and build a large shop in her backyard.  She expanded even more, designing many kinds of berms, tarps and containment systems for hazardous spills.   Ferrara Fire Apparatus contacted her to create covers for their hose beds. In 2002, she and her husband Jon bought the former Central Hardware, and Covers Unlimited was born.  Now a nationally accredited company supplying to customers all over the United States, Covers Unlimited is a tribute to what hard work and dedication can bring about.

    Not letting herself rest on her laurels, Sandy sought a totally new enterprise in 2005.  She wanted to delve into the wild world of women’s fashion, essentially 180 degrees from her previous business experience.  Sandy taught herself the ropes, going to Market with no training or assistance, and searched through its 20 stories of vendor filled halls to find just the right look she believed her clients would want.  A petite framed woman who understands the challenges of apparel shopping, Sandy used her love of fashion and her belief that any woman can be as fashionable as they want to guide her when she selected merchandise. The result was Claire Marie’s.  Named after one of her granddaughters, Claire Marie’s offers unique apparel and jewelry, carefully chosen by Sandy and her niece and assistant, Kandi Jones.  When they shop for the next new thing, they keep in mind their regular customers’ needs.  “It’s like having a personal shopper looking out for you,” Kandi says.  The two of them can actually recite the sizes, color preferences, and styles of their regular customers.  This is the difference between department store shopping and the boutique experience – Sandy and Kandi and their employees will interact with you to understand what works for you personally.  For the best experience, it is a good idea to walk in and put yourself in their capable hands.  They will not let you walk out in clothing that is not flattering.  “It would reflect badly on us if we did!” Kandi laughs.  They will do a “What Not To Wear” for you, just bring in key wardrobe items and they will match them with clothing, shoes and accessories.  Or come in for a try-on and discover what is best for your body type in style and color.  They can handle anything from a minimum match-up to a complete makeover.  Then they will have any full priced item altered free of charge if needed.

    In order to give the gentlemen the same pleasant Claire Marie’s experience, the boutique is offering “Desperate Dudes Day”.  Sandy and Kandi know the desperation that people can experience around any holiday.  Research has shown that even the most romantic man hates Valentine’s Day and the pressure that goes with it.  On February 11 and 12, Claire Marie’s will greet Desperate Dudes with a beer and pizza and a list of items previously chosen by their ladies.  The Dude can choose an item and enjoy his beer, sitting in the “Man Chair” while the gift is beautifully wrapped.  While he waits, he can register for a chance to win a dozen roses delivered by Central Florist.  Claire Marie’s is guaranteeing that he will be his lady’s hero on that special day!