New clothing store offers ‘sassy’ selection

Each of the new stores in the revitalized Shawano downtown shopping district brings something new and unique to the area.

One of the newest women’s boutiques, Simply Sassy Clothing Co., is no exception. Owner Cari Kretschmann, of Shawano, has a directed vision for her store, which opened the first weekend in June.

“Sassy” is the nickname she got from her father, Bill Arneson, who lives in Cornell, where Kretschmann grew up. The store’s name, Simply Sassy, describes herself and her store.

The store has simple lines, with a minimalist atmosphere. On closer inspection, there actually are numerous clothing items hanging on the walls and displayed on tables. Her selections are trendy contemporary and classic fashions. She noted that customers are amazed at what they find in her store and the reasonable prices she offers.

“I don’t want it to look like a Target or a Walmart; I don’t want to be like any other store,” Kretschmann said, talking about the simple and sleek lines of the space. “I’m trying to stand out and do my own thing. I don’t want to do what other stores are doing. I want to bring a different experience to people.

“So, when they walk in, I don’t want them to have to search through a bunch of racks. I want them to walk in and see an item and say they love that piece. To be drawn to something, not have to search through a bunch of racks. I want my stuff to be displayed on my walls, so that people aren’t confused when they walk in.”

Kretschmann is very interested in helping her customers navigate the shopping experience. She wants customers to recognize that she is there to help them and to guide them to clothing that will make them feel good.

“I want people to leave my store knowing that they are happy with what they left with, an emotional attachment to their shopping experience,” Kretschmann said.

She is dedicated to seeing that each customer gets a personal experience shopping at Simply Sassy.

Kretschmann started with an online clothing operation, where she posted pictures of herself displaying outfits and various clothing pieces.

This carried over into her space in The Blend, a Shawano boutique store that features a variety of women-owned businesses. She was personally invited by The Blend’s owner, Alex Hartwig, to open a clothing operation there. Kretschmann noted that over the 2 1/2 years she was there, she saw the store thrive and people liked her clothes.

In April, Hartwig talked to Kretschmann about the vacant property that is now Simply Sassy and thought that it would be a good fit for her.

“The second I walked in here, I just had this overwhelming feeling of this is where I’m meant to be,” Kretschmann said.

Connecting on a personal basis with her customers was something Kretschmann felt she was missing with her online store and The Blend. She says that she was craving a personal connection with people, to help them just navigate the shopping experience.

Kretschmann wants her customers to think of her when they need help in selecting clothes. In Simply Sassy, she says that she is noticing a wide range of people coming in, from teens to people in their 80s.

Customers message Kretschmann often when they have a special occasion coming up and ask what she has in the store that would work for them. She will send them pictures of clothing and even try things on for them.

“I will make an appointment for them to come in, and I will pull things, so that when they walk in, everything is ready for them to try on,” Kretschmann said.

“I want to bring value to people, because this is more than a clothing store. It’s more than the clothing for me. There’s so much power in staying true to yourself.”

She notices that people stopping in are excited to meet her and excited to see what she has for them. She says that she knows her inventory so well, she can even give advice on washing and drying items when customers check out.

Customers travel from Appleton and Milwaukee to shop her store. She knows the clothes she sells are available in those cities, that many boutiques shop the same online hub that she uses. Perhaps the only difference is that she is the buyer, and customers are eager to meet her and receive her personalized assistance.

AT A GLANCE

WHAT: Simply Sassy Clothing Co.

WHEN: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays; and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays

WHERE: 116 S. Main St., Shawano

CONTACT: 715-853-3983, carikretschmann@gmail.com. There is also a Simply Sassy Facebook page.