blakeney

Don’t overlook the Blakeney shopping center at Rea and Ardrey Kell Roads.  You probably know there is a Target and a Marshall’s there, but if you venture just a little farther to the side of these big box stores, you will find a nice collection of chain and boutique stores with easy parking and a couple of good places for the kids like My Gym.  And a Starbucks of course.  Desigual out of Barcelona, D.E.P.T., Voom by Joy Han,

denim affair

Mostly jeans, for men and for women, with a few t-shirts and belts to go with.  For the ladies, Denim Affair has a range of price points and brands, with their mid-price jeans running $68-$100 and their high-end designer brands $148-$225.  Popular mid-priced brands include lucky, !iT and Miss Me.  There’s a wall of high end, harder-to-find names:  Anlo, AG, Denim of Virtue, James, Red Engine and one designer very popular for it’s more forgiving, shall we say “mature”, cut….David Kahn.  Try them, you’ll like them.  And Denim Affair offers you the perfect venue to host a private, jean-trying and jean-buying party for your friends or social group.  The store will open after hours for you and your guests (3 to 35 people).  You bring the munchies (catering is fine) and the store will provide the wine or champagne, the soft drinks and the jean shopping savvy.  Best of all, the hostess receives a discount “reward” off her purchase based on the parties sales.  Email Paige at info@denimaffaironline.com for details!

Hours:  Mon-Sat 10 am - 6:30 pm .

9848 Rea Road in Blakeney Center.  (704) 341-4791.

handpicked

Handpicked is Charlotte’s great resource for inexpensive jewelry and accessories, both for yourself and for gifts.  They almost always have something perfect for a present, and it’s almost never over $50.  Lots of selection under $30 and an ever-updated line of purses and bags along with jewelry.   Another reason to support this store — in 2007, HandPicked established its own non-profit initiative, HeartPicked  as a way for HandPicked and it’s customers to have a direct impact on the lives of women and children in need in the communities where HandPicked is located,   according to owner Melanie Mauldin.  For more information and to read about the programs Heartpicked is currently supporting, please visit their website listed below.

9844-A Rea Road.  (704)405-9780

Hours:  Mon-Sat 10 am - 6 pm .  Open Sunday 1-6 pm.

handpicked.net (you can purchase on this site)

francesca’s collections

This little store is such a SUPER find if you love inexpensive, fun frocks and accessories.  I couldn’t even count the number of adorable dresses (or for some of us, maybe tunics and swim cover-ups) priced between $38 and $48.  With lots and lots of jewelry, nic-nacs and gifts.  It is a mini-chain, with stores all over and 7 locations in NC, including Huntersville.  The website is handy as well, often with discounts and coupons available on the site and by email.  You’ll be so happy you took the time to find and visit Francesca’s.

Blakeney Center (ALSO A LOCATION IN SOUTHPARK MALL)
9830 Rea Rd, Ste # C          (704) 544-3104
Mon-Sat: 10am - 9pm         Sun: 12 - 6pm

www.francescascollections.com (you can purchase on this site)

72shoeboutique

Located between Talbots on the Old Navy side of the center, 72shoeboutique carries a great selection of brands, including BCBG, Juicy, Taryn Rose, Daniblack, Beverly Feldman, Poetic License, DKNY, Via Spiga and Cocobelle.  This fall the store will be adding Ann Roth shoes, Sam Edelman, Australia Love Collective boots and Badgley Mischka shoes and handbags.

9856-G Rea Road.      (704)542-0472

Hours:  Mon-Sat 10am-6pm.  Sunday by appt only.

www.72shoeboutique

LAEast

West Coast cool, coming to Charlotte via Tega Cay, SC where LAEast began.  LA East is a men’s & women’s boutique located between White House/Black Market and Sweet & Sassy and the store carries a broad selection of California style - Soul Revival, Testament, Miss Me, BB Dakota, Free People, Ed Hardy.   L.A. East boasts an award winning denim selection with over 35 styles of women’s & 20+  of men’s jeans.  Joes Jeans, Rock & Republic, Mek Denim, Big Star, Rock Revival, Hudson, Frankie B. Paige Premium & more. Prices range from $80 to just shy of $300.  The Blakeney store doesn’t stock Miss Me, but they usually have 10 or so styles on their website & offer free in-store pickup.    Finally, LAEast is the only store in town whose denim “BAR” really is just that, complete with a pool table, Wii and beer on tap,

9852 Rea Rd, Suite D       (704)341-5962

Hours:  M-Th 10 am - 7 pm.  Fr & Sat 10 am - 8 pm.

www.laeast.net

Also in Blakeney Center:  hue, swoozie’s,  Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, Victoria’s Secret, Talbots, J.Jill, Coldwater Creek, White House/Black Market and many more.

Promenade on Providence

belleville

One of three locations in greater Charlotte area (also in Epicenter uptown and Birkdale Village in Huntersville) with affordable and fashionable designs from the likes of Miss Me, Glam, s-12, Poppy Garden and Plastic Jeans.  This store is known for it’s friendly, warm vibe and service.

5341 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy  Suite 350      704-847-5352 Store Hours:  9-6, Monday through Friday.  www.lovemybelleville.com

Ballantyne Village

i.c.london

It’s worth the effort to get to this Charlotte staple for ladies undergarments. (Why did the developers in Ballantyne make it SO hard to get anywhere?  Not a straight line for miles).  i.c.London understands how important it is to find just the right brassiere. To help with this tricky process, they offer some of the best bra brands along with bra-fitting services. (If you have never been fitted, or at least counseled on your bra fit, head straight here.  It can change your life.)  There’s also a wide selection of FleurT nightwear (starting at $85), Hanky Panky panties ($18-$34), Huit bra-sized bathing suits (starting at $54 per piece), and Jacques Levine slippers (starting at $34).

14835 Ballantyne Way, Suite 135  (704)369-5210. Mon-Sat 10 am - 6 pm iclondon.com

The Village at Robinson Farm (aka “Cosmos” Center)

Jordano’s

For contemporary men’s & women’s fashion, you can head to the Village at Robinson Farm Shopping Center in Ballantyne. Owner Karen Mangeney and store manager Craig stock the store with a well-edited selection of hip designer apparel, shoes, & accessories.   The look is young and a little euro, not the store for the classic Southern prep but a perfect choice for one or two pieces with enough edge to update your look.  Desigual from Barcelona, D.E.P.T., Voom by Joy Han, jeans by Joe’s Jeans, Taverniti, David Kahn and (coming soon) Hudson plus new pieces from new designers all the time.

8440 Rea Road Suite 100          704.543.8800      Hours: M–S 10am – 9pm.  Sunday 12pm – 8pm with seasonal extended hours (please call for details).  email:  info@shopjordanos.com

The Fountains

cocofleur - closed    try :  www.cocofleur.com

circa

Next door to Coco Fleur, Circa should absolutely be on your must-shop list if you are in the Blakeney/Ardrey Kell areas.  Pretty much everything in the store is priced UNDER $100 and Circa is one of the few boutiques to carry the very cute, very affordable Kensie lines, along with Silver jeans (great style for only $75-ish), Free People, Trinity and a few other young, trendy lines.  Circa also has a retail website with a limited number of items for online purchase.

The Fountains Shopping Center

8145 Ardrey Kell Rd.  #101.  704-845-0433.  Hours:  Mon-Sat 10am-6pm.  Closed Sunday.

www.circaboutique.com

Stonecrest

chico’s

7808-B  Rea Road , (704)543-8885 Hours:  Mon-Thu 10am-7pm,   Fri-Sat 10am-8pm,  Open Sunday 12-5pm

claire’s

7918-A Rea Rd. (704)543-9634.  Hours:  Mon - Sat 10am-8pm.  Sun 12-5pm.

reign fine apparel

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then this video clip from you tube will tell & show you everything you’ll need to know about this divine resource for the dressy occasions.  click here to view.

7808-E Rea Rd. (704)543-0370

Hours:  Mon-Fri 10am-6pm,  Sat 11am-5pm.  Closed Sundays.

reignfineapparel.com