After six years at 1330 E. Brady St., women's fashion boutique Three Graces will pack up shop and head south to the Third Ward. Co-owner Pam Hedges says that she and partner Joanne Szymaszek will open the new location in the Marshall Building, at 207 E. Buffalo St., suite 100, on May 3, and their final day on Brady Street is April 29.
"Although we love Brady Street, we just feel like the Third Ward can offer more shopping synergy and has more like-minded business. The target demographic is slightly different than Brady Street, which focuses a lot on being an entertainment district. With all the galleries and boutiques I feel like the Third Ward attracts more browsing."
With boutiques like Lela, Hers and J. Bird, the area is bubbling over with fashion-forward female shopping options.
"Places like Blush and the Institute of Beauty and Wellness add another dimension to the women's shopping experience because they offer beauty products. I think this is going to be a nice fit for us."
In many ways, Three Graces was a pioneer of the women's fashion boutique trend that has taken Milwaukee by storm in the last five years. "Joanne and I started our business in 1999 and officially opened our doors in 2000. It's been really exciting to see so many other boutiques pop up over the years."
As a women's clothing and accessories boutique, Three Graces offers everything from trends to classics, denim to black tie wear. Hedges and Szymaszek have even tapped into the local market for their accessory lines. Three Graces features jewelry by local designers Jarmila and Eye Candy.
"When we opened, our business goal was to deliver fashion forward clothing and offer Milwaukee women something that used to be pretty hard to come by -- a trendy, fun, but comfortable place to shop."
In general, Hedges says, no matter where the store's location, her goal of actively bridging the city's shopping district remains.
"Several Brady Street businesses work in conjunction with the Third Ward. In the past we've done in-store promotions for Blush and Aala Reed has done the same with New World Wine Co."
Aala Reed, a fashionable men's clothier, is located next door to Three Graces at 1320 E. Brady St. After the move, Aala Reed owner Laura Cole has plans to knock down the dividing wall and expand their store into the space.
"I've been on Brady Street for four and a half years now, and although I'm sad to see Three Graces leave, it has given me the opportunity to expand my business," says Cole. She is unsure at this point how quickly the expansion plans will move forward.
OnMilwaukee.com staff writer Julie Lawrence grew up in Wauwatosa and has lived her whole life in the Milwaukee area.
As any “word nerd” can attest, you never know when inspiration will strike, so from a very early age Julie has rarely been seen sans pen and little notebook. At the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee it seemed only natural that she major in journalism. When OnMilwaukee.com offered her an avenue to combine her writing and the city she knows and loves in late 2004, she knew it was meant to be. Around the office, she answers to a plethora of nicknames, including “Lar,” (short for “Larry,” which is short for “Lawrence”) as well as the mysteriously-sourced “Bill Murray.”
