The Business Break-Down

Missoni Madness Lures Out Shoppers

Shoppers flooded Target stores nationwide seeking bargain priced designer goods from Missoni, an Italian designer.

The demand for merchandise labeled “Missoni for Target” has been surprising, to say the least. Last Tuesday marked the first—and possibly last—day of Target's limited offering of budget-priced Missoni goods. The design house created pieces especially for Target and were sold at prices Target shoppers would expect. For example, a Missoni for Target infinity scarf sold for $25, while the same type of scarf at Neiman Marcus costs $200. Are they the same product? Of course not. The Target scarf is 100 percent rayon and half the length of the “real” Missoni scarf which is a blend of acrylic, polyamide, mohair and polyester. The scarf is nowhere to be seen in St. Louis stores and is sold out online. Yet eBay has more than 30,000 listings for “…

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Patch Picks: Boutiques

Welcome the arrival of spring with hot new clothes from these trendy West County boutiques.

The arrival of spring means it’s time to re-examine your closet and banish heavy sweaters, long sleeves and winter colors to storage. While you’re sorting through your collection, you might be inspired to add a few new things to your wardrobe. West County is not only a great place to shop, but it is home to several unique fashion boutiques—one of kind, locally owned clothing stores with great customer service and hard-to-find items. Happy shopping! Klutch Ultra trendy Klutch has the latest causal fashions from the hottest designers. Who shops here: Trendsetters from ages 17 to 70 shop here. What brands they carry: Klutch carries brands including Wildfox, Dolce Vita and Tolani. Where: Klutch is located at 1126 Town and Country Crossing Dr…

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The Business Break-Down

Handcrafted Bling: Locally Made Designer Jewelry in Town and Country

CODI Jewelry, with a boutique located in Town and Country Crossing, now has two stores in St. Louis.

Those looking for unique Valentine's bling can swing by CODI the Boutique, in Town and Country Crossing, for jewelry that won’t break the bank. Local designer Courtney Hopson, the creative genius behind CODI, calls her pieces “funky for day, fancy for night.”  Here you can order a hand-stamped name tag charm in sterling silver or gold from $90 to $285, with additional charms starting out at $15 to build a layered look. Tags can be stamped with initials, names or other words. “My line represents quality. It is affordable, unique and fun,” Hopson said. Hopson has been selling hand-beaded bracelets, necklaces and earrings for more than 12 years. Hopson's jewelry started out as a hobby, but after receiving many compliments on her pieces, she …

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