By: Deborah Johnson Wood
Six years ago entrepreneur Julie Cronkright knew she wanted to open a women’s clothing store in downtown Rockford, but she didn’t have a building. So she went from business to business knocking on doors, looking for someone who wanted to sell their building. She found someone that day. And after 10 months of renovation, Jade opened at 17 Squires St.
This month Cronkright celebrates the store’s fifth anniversary with a renewed vision for the store that includes the addition of in-store private buying parties and a future private label brand.
“We have private buying parties that can be for something like a girls’ night out or a shower,” Cronkright says. “The hostess schedules the party, and it starts at 7:30 p.m. after the store closes. We have two people working to assist with fitting and sizes, and the women don’t have to wait in line for dressings rooms—because they’re all girlfriends they sort of take over the store. We provide appetizers and non-alcoholic drinks, and they can bring in their own wine or other alcohol.”
The buying parties are free and all the guests get discounts on their purchases.
In addition to the parties, Cronkright plans to add private label clothing to the store’s offerings early next year.
“My husband, Tom, and I go to buying shows in L.A. and New York,” she says. “This year we will select lines to commission to make clothes for Jade so we’ll have our own private label. You have to be a pretty good sized store to be able to do that.”
The official anniversary celebration is August 21 thru 23 with discounts, free giveaways with each purchase of $20 or more, and daily prize drawings.
Source: Julie Cronkright, Jade
Deborah Johnson Wood is the development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at [email protected].
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