the bra ladies

 ! VICKI MITCHELL

Ladies…are you ready for a beautifully uplifting experience? If so, Eleni Barbieri and her mother and business partner, Susan Joseph, otherwise known as The Bra Ladies, would love to help you! Just make an appointment to visit them at their shop in Somers, Connecticut. Located in an historic house built in 1813, the intimate shop is stocked with shapewear, lingerie, and bras for daily and active wear as well as special occasions. The ladies are also in the process of becoming service providers for women who have had mastectomies, as they feel “it’s imperative that we are able to provide assistance in this vital area.”

In spite of the many items you can purchase in the store or from their online selections, the most important thing Eleni and Susan are selling is personal service to help every customer feel comfortable, supported and looking great with a properly fitted undergarment. Eleni explains, “Our goal is not to sell you a bra, but to improve your quality of life and provide you with the support and comfort every woman deserves. I opened The Bra Ladies Boutique in 2014 after having considerable frustration in finding a comfortable, well fitted, supportive undergarment. I discovered I was not alone. I talked to my mother, my grandmother, both my sisters, and my friends seeking a source of reliable and wellfitting undergarments. I began researching and learning about the proper way to fit women into bras and the companies that provided quality products. I opened

my boutique to focus on individual customer service, fitting, and satisfaction. We stock only those items that have been hand selected to be of the highest quality and to provide the best support and comfort. Every client is measured and privately fitted to ensure that you are being provided with a quality product that fits your particular needs. When you choose The Bra Ladies Boutique to assist you, we listen to what you say and what you are looking for. We work to provide you with what you want. Every customer is important to us… if you don’t feel amazing while wearing our products, then you don’t leave with a bra. If we can’t provide you with what you need or want immediately, we will order different styles and sizes of your preferred choices and invite you back to see if we found what you desire.

“We also carry bathing suits. We find that many of our customers who have had problems finding bras, have had the same issues with finding bathing suits. We special order bathing suits after providing customers with a proper measurement.

“We sell high quality shapewear which is designed to provide maximum comfort and support with unique shaping properties. We are constantly researching and updating our product line. At times we discover less well-known, high quality brands from information provided by our customers. A customer will come in with her favorite bra that has been discontinued and we will check into locating a replacement, and if we feel that the product will provide our customers with quality and comfort, we establish a brand partnership with that company. At this time we are also selling face masks that are made from the same material as our bras.”

Do you have a wedding or other special occasion com-

ing up? “We take great satisfaction in providing enjoyable and rewarding special occasion fittings,” say Eleni and Susan. “We feel honored when customers choose The Bra Ladies for their special occasion and we work hard to provide the quality service and atmosphere befitting the event. We want the fittings to be part of the pleasant memories of their special event.”

Once you have purchased your new undergarments, you may wonder what the best way to care for them is. The ladies answered this question by saying “We always say not to rush to wash your bras. Wash them when you can visibly see they need it and/or if there is an odor. If neither is evident, simply hang them on the back of the bathroom door. You should have three working bras for a rotation: one to wear, one to spare, and one to wash.”

They would also like to suggest that women donate their used bras to charity, explaining that “we have so many women leaving with new bras and wanting to throw away the old ones. We believe that one person’s trash is another person’s treasure. We will wash and sanitize them, then pass them along to different women’s shelters. We also work closely with different women’s groups, educating them on proper wear and care of a bra. We are always looking to partner with charities to educate and assist young girls on how to select a good undergarment and how to care for it.”

This year, The Bra Ladies decided to add an on-line shopping experience, in “an attempt to reach more women that desperately need quality service from a caring provider. Our website will walk you through steps to make sure that the bra you order is the bra you want to wear.” They are also in the process of becoming accredited by the Better Business Bureau.

Eleni and Susan state that, “We are doing much more than selling bras. We are selling self-esteem, encouragement and the confidence to go out and conquer the world! Women are supposed to uplift each other and that is our mission at the Bra Ladies Boutique!”

The Bra Ladies is located at 635 Main Street in Somers, Connecticut 413-244-5731 thebraladies.com

413•566•8015

PIZZERIA & LOUNGE

Grinders • Giant Calzones • Seafood • Salads • Wings & More

Save Time!

Save Money! ORDER ONLINE!

YOUR COLLEGE HOOPS HEADQUARTERS THIS MONTH!

OPEN

WEDNESDAY-MONDAY Indoor dining, take-out with curbside pickup and delivery! We’re here to serve the community.

Delivery to Hampden, Wilbraham, East Longmeadow, Sixteen Acres, East Forest Park and parts of Longmeadow, Enfield & Somers, CT! 9 Allen St. •Hampden Mini Mall •Hampden, MA (413) 566-8015 www.giospizzeria.com

YourLocal,Family OwnedKitchenExperts.

Custom Closet Systems Kitchen & Bath Cabinetry • Laundry • Quartz Granite • Corian • Laminate • Full Remodeling

Kitchen Encounters offers friendly, local service. We will help you visualize your new kitchen or bath with our expert design service and we are ALWAYS a better value than the big box stores. You can trust Kitchen Encounters because our families are local, just like yours! Visit Our Beautiful Showroom

Over 25 Years in Business!

15 RAILROAD AVENUE, WILBRAHAM 413-596-6535 | WWW.KITCHEN-ENCOUNTERS.COM

ECFCU VISA Credit Card Benefits

STOP IN OR APPLY ONLINE!

• No Annual Fee • Cash Advances • Cards Made On Site • Fast Credit Approval • No Balance Transfer Fee

Remember, we're here for all your loan needs…

EXTRA AWARDS

Earn points for each signed purchase! Redeem points for cash, travel, gift cards and more!

Vehicles • Mortgages • Refi's (Home & Auto) • Personal VISA • Bill Consolidation • Tax Liabilities