Briosa Boutique: This New Shop Opens at a Familiar Location

As a former manager of , Gloria Ursich was overwhelmed by the customer response to the news that .

"They kept asking, 'Are you going to reopen?' and saying 'You have to do something!' The support was just wonderful," Ursich said.

But in April, the idea of opening her own boutique was just a dream and not something she'd really thought seriously about. Yet with customers continuing to encourage her and the other store manager, Debbie Bell, to open their own shop, Ursich--as well as her customers--thought the time might be right to pursue a business venture.

She and Bell got together with Rae Vegetabile, who managed Girlfriend's Closet (the first evolution of GC Boutique) and began to make plans. Those quickly turned into realities since the store and stock already existed.

The trio came up with a new name for the reborn business, calling it Briosa, which means "vivacious" or "shiny" in Italian.

"It was a good way to describe our fashions and make us stand out in a crowd," she said.

Briosa Boutique held its grand opening June 3 to rave reviews and heavy customer support.

"We've been open for a month now and have had a great response. Customers have been so supportive," Ursich said.

Briosa, however, has its own flair, thanks to the increase in the variety of fashions carried.

"We try to bring in new things every week," she said. "One of the things I wanted to make sure people knew was that we would still stay unique, but we would be more affordable. Customers can come find really nice stylish pieces at affordable prices."

And the support works both ways at Briosa. Ursich said being a boutique means offering a higher level of personalized service than a department store.

"We try to know each person's name," she said. "We've gotten to know some of our customers really well. I've watched some of their kids grow up over the last five years (when she managed GC Boutique)."

Ursich also believes in promoting the whole downtown shopping area.

"It's quaint and friendly down here, and it's nice to have other businesses in the area that are similar but different. You want to keep encouraging people to come downtown," Ursich said, adding that having right down the street is a good thing.

"We both have our own sense of style. If a customer can't find something she likes here, I always refer her to My Sisters & Me. 

Briosa Boutique

Where: 22 S. White St.
Hours: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday.
More info: Call 815-464-3008 or go to the boutique's website. Briosa also has a Facebook page and see photos from the grand opening.

Frankfort Business Buzz

• Associated Orthodontists, 640 Bankview Dr., is offering complimentary consultations.
• The Frankfort Chamber Golf Outing is Friday, July 15, and you can still register. Don't miss out on this real-time social networking opportunity.