Locals won
’t have to drive to Santana Row or the Gilroy Outlets to find
high-end fashions and the latest styles since Blush Boutique opened
its doors in downtown Morgan Hill on May 14.
Locals won’t have to drive to Santana Row or the Gilroy Outlets to find high-end fashions and the latest styles since Blush Boutique opened its doors in downtown Morgan Hill on May 14.
The Boutique, a unique mix of designer clothes with a casual style, is the brain child of Morgan Hill native Victoria Herrera. Herrera said she’s trying to fill the void of fashionable clothing in Morgan Hill not met by Mervyn’s, Target or even the Gilroy Outlets.
When Victoria Herrera researched Morgan Hill to start a new clothing business, she found women were projected to spend $32 million in this area in 2006.
But even with those numbers, Herrera said she was surprised by the response her new business received from the community, when she opened Blush Boutique in the Downtown Mall on Monterey Road and First Street.
Even before the doors opened for business, eager buyers were knocking on the door hoping to purchase the new perfect outfit.
The first day they opened, the boutique sold $1,200 worth of jeans to a woman for her daughter.
“I was caught off guard by the response,” Herrera said. “Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine business would be like this.”
Blush Boutique offers a wide variety of high-end denim, jewelry, cosmetics and other accessories for women. Herrera set out to target the 18-44 age group, but found she had customers well over 50 interested in her wares.
The Boutique has expensive to moderately priced clothing that is flying off the shelves. Herrera said she often has to call her suppliers to send another shipment of clothes.
“It seems like I just get something in and I’m calling them up begging them to send us more,” Herrera said.
Herrera said she chose downtown because she believes the area has tremendous potential.
Though she has been happy with customer traffic, Herrera said weekend sales have been disappointing. Oddly enough, her busiest times are 12 to 4pm on the weekdays.
On Saturdays, the Boutique hosts a live DJ. Initially, the shop was open seven days a week, but Herrera decided to close on Sunday – a relatively slow day for downtown merchants.
Despite the slow Sunday, Herrera said the customers return in droves Mondays.
Herrera said she hopes her business will be a catalyst for change in downtown. Most businesses, except for the restaurants, close early, but she tries to stay open later.
“I would love to see Downtown turn into a shopping destination for Morgan Hill,” Herrera said. “There is just so much potential here.”
Details: 776-8200.
Cheeto Barrera is an intern at the Morgan Hill Times. He can be reached at cb******@*************es.com.
