The 13th biannual Chattanooga Boutique Warehouse Sale, which will be held at SPACE in Warehouse Row, kicks off with a special preview sale Thursday, March 1 from 6-8 p.m. and continues Friday and Saturday, March 2-3 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Shoppers hunt for good deals at the biannual Boutique Warehouse Sale, to be held at SPACE in Warehouse Row beginning with a preview sale Thursday, March 1 from 6-8 p.m. and continuing Friday and Saturday, March 2-3 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.Preview party attendees will have the first pick of deeply discounted items from local boutiques and jewelry designers. All proceeds from the $15 admission charge will be donated to the Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer.
"Not only do you get to help give back to the community, you get to buy designer clothing for half off, sometimes even 75 percent off, and you're supporting local businesses," said jewelry designer Jonesy Wood, who held the first Boutique Warehouse Sale in the fall of 2006. "I'm all about supporting local business, and that's why I love organizing the sale every year."
Juliane O'Neal of Frankie & Julian's said she likes the opportunity the sale provides to get to know other boutique owners and what they offer.
"We've all become really good friends," said Wood of the owners, who can now refer customers to another store that may have the item they are looking for. "With the way the economy has been the past couple years, it's good to help each other out."
First-time participant Kim Hobson, owner of new Riverview boutique Alice Blue, said she hopes the sale will introduce shoppers to the boutique who may not have been by the store yet.
Preview patrons can enjoy beverages and hors d'oeuvres while perusing the sale selection as well as the silent auction items donated by each boutique to benefit Austin Hatcher.
Public House owner Nathan Lindley will also be donating a portion of his patrons' tickets to Austin Hatcher that night, said Wood.
"Now that I'm a mom, my fears have started to change and [Austin Hatcher] struck a chord with me," Wood said of her choice in selecting Austin Hatcher as the charity to support with this sale. "[Amy Jo Osborn of the Austin Hatcher Foundation] loved the idea and has been helpful with marketing."
Admission to the sale is free on Friday and Saturday.
"Pretty much everything they're selling is below cost [for the boutique owner]," said Wood, putting the level of the discounts to be found at the sale into perspective.