August 2010
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www.fdlreporter.com
JR’s Sports Bar & Grill features Battle of the Bands
Fondue Fest Returns for its Tastiest Year Yet!
Upcoming events in Downtown Fond du Lac
Lillian’s
offers fashionable purses and accessories for limited time each month Dorothy Bliskey | Special to The Reporter
Lillian’s, located at 171 S. Main St., Fond du Lac, features a party-like atmosphere, with freshly-brewed coffee and sounds of Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra typically setting the stage for shoppers. The Reporter photos by Patrick Flood
Lillian’s of Fond du Lac, 171 S. Main St., has become a popular monthly gathering spot for women and girls in hot pursuit of trendy yet reasonably priced purses and accessories. The downtown shop opened four years ago, just a year after Lillian’s was founded in Minnesota by two women. It is among 36 franchises located across the country. Wallets, scarves, jewelry and other accessories complement the handbag hot spot. A new addition to the Fond du Lac Lillian’s this month is a boutique clothing line called Moon Goon. An interesting concept is the fact that all of the Lillian’s Shoppes are open only four to eight days a month. Lillian’s of Fond du Lac opens four days per month on the second weekend from Thursday through Sunday, year-round. “The idea behind this unique retail concept,” explained Tracy Mathweg, who along with her husband Tony owns the local franchise, “is to offer a moderate quantity of the trendiest women’s accessories and seasonal fashions at ridiculously affordable prices — for a limited amount of time.” The concept drives customer curiosity and interest. “They have to come in each month to see what’s new,” Mathweg said. Each Lillians receives about 50 percent new inventory each month. If an item doesn’t sell on the main retail floor within three months, it gets marked down and placed in a bargain area, according to Mathweg. “This model keeps the inventory moving out the door, so there is plenty of room for new, incoming
items each month,” Mathweg said. A party-like atmosphere with freshly brewed coffee and sounds of Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra often sets the stage for shoppers at Lillian’s. “For customers, we truly offer a fun and engaging shopping experience,” Mathweg said. The ringing of a bell occurs to signal occasions like a woman entering Lillian’s for the first time or someone winning merchandise due to a filled Moon Goon punch card.” “We cater to ladies of all ages, from teenagers and college students to working women and hip seniors,” Mathweg said. “Because we offer a wide selection of merchandise, we see just about every age group represented at any given time.” “Our walls are dripping in hundreds of fashionable handbags, stylish wallets and sunglasses, statement jewelry and trendy seasonal fashions at reasonable prices,” said Mathweg, adding that the price point is key. “There are so many women who say they haven’t come in before because they thought we carried expensive designer handbags,” Mathweg said. “They are delighted to get numerous handbags and accessories at Lillian’s for the price of one designer handbag. Let’fs face it, women like to change their minds, and Lillian’s makes it affordable for women to change their look and style.” Lillian’s is open the second weekend of each month. This month the shop is open Thursday, Aug. 12, to Sunday, Aug. 15. Next month, Lillian’s opens from Thursday, Sept. 9, to Sunday, Sept. 12. Store hours on those dates are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursdays; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays.
To learn more about Lillian’s online, go to www.lilliansshoppe.com.