New Uptown clothing store, Bluetique, has different brands available for women young and old.
With the exposed brick walls and simple lighting, the decor of the newly opened boutique on West State Street has an industrial, modern feel that reflects the casual style available for all women.
The Uptown store Bluetique, opened in August and targets not only college students, but any woman passing by on the street.
“There’s a lot of different styles here,” Marissa Whaley, the store manager said. “We try to gear our stuff not necessarily toward college students because I feel like we have stuff for all ages.”
Bluetique offers different brands of clothing and jewelry for customers to choose from such as Lokai bracelets, Bogo earrings, Lush clothing items and the store’s own personal brand of earrings and clothing that includes shirts with quirky messages.
“The two men that own (Bluetique), they came to Athens at least two to three years ago and went up and down Court Street and observed it,” Whaley said. “They have been coming back ever since trying to find a good location for a store.”
Whaley said the owners knew they wanted to open a business in Athens due to the overall culture and artsy sentiments the town has to offer, even after they looked at previous venues and towns.
The back of Bluetique has a long space for ample dressing rooms — a nod at the stores optimism at bringing in many customers. There are clearance racks that wittingly say “last chance rack.”
As a promoter, the new store has a special gift for all those who wander in — a free pair of pearl earrings, regardless if anything was purchased.
Bluetiques’ prices for all items vary from around $20 to $65.
In the middle of the boutique is a display for monogrammed clothing and accessories. Customers can choose any font, color and article of clothing and order it right in the store.
Figleaf Boutique is another well known shop on Court Street that shares similar attributes when it comes to products and atmosphere.
“I’d say I come here and Figleaf the most but it’s usually like I stop in when I have a free day.” Kenzie Wullenweber, a sophomore studying organizational communications, said.
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Locals are not the only ones who are familiar with the many clothing options that Athens possesses. Students can stroll down Court Street with visiting friends and family.
Whaley said non-locals frequenting the store are often from other towns exploring Athens.
The owners are not alone in being interested in the character of Uptown.
“I think all the shops here are super cute, like I really love the atmosphere of walking Uptown and shopping and chatting, it’s a lot of fun.” said Abby Grisez, a freshman studying communications.
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