Recently a reader, Kelli, emailed to let me know that she is opening a new “occasional” shop here in the Springs and wanted to know if I’d like to come take a sneak peek and see what it’s all about! So, this week I had the chance to stop in and preview the store and find out what it’s all about and give you a sneak peek, too.
The new store is called Lillian’s Shoppe and is located on North Academy in the Falcon Landing shopping center (where Jason’s Deli, Fatburger, Veda Salon, etc), between Game Stop and Wells Fargo Bank, towards the north end of that shopping center.
It’s part of a national chain of 33 stores that are known as “occasional sale” stores. They’re only open four days a month (the first full weekend of every month for the Colorado Springs store), and carry a variety of purses, accessories, and clothing.
The items they sell are designer knock-offs, if you will, or “designer-inspired” – so, no recognizable brands here, but if you could care less about the brand and just want to look cute, I think you’ll like their stuff.
Oh hey – before we get too far into this, make sure you come back on Monday, because I’ll be giving away four $25 gift certificates to Lillian’s Shoppe!
This purse (isn’t it cute?) was $42. Kelli said their average handbag is about $45 – the most expensive is $66. Sunglasses were eight bucks!
The store is primarily purses and accessories, but they do carry some clothing. They didn’t have a lot of clothing in when I was there, but told me that they’ll be carrying Sheryl Crow jeans for $59, and their tops were around $20 or less.
They had lots of different lightweight scarves which I loved (if I knew how to tie them!). The scarves were $12, pashima scarves are $14. I’m thinking that’s about the price range that Target would have, but these seemed a little better quality and a better variety.
I have to say, it’s been a long time since I’ve shopped retail for anything. I’m usually a second-hand kind of gal, but I think there were some good prices here. In looking at the price of handbags at JC Penney, I’m seeing that Lillian’s prices are about the same as JC Penney’s sale prices, and better than their regular prices. And, I’d say many of the purses at Lillian’s were quite a bit more unique than the ones at Penney’s.
Kelli let me know that they have a rewards program – for every $10 you spend, you get a stamp on your card and once it’s got 20 stamps ($200), you get to choose a free $30 handbag!
Lillian’s Shoppe is having their grand opening next weekend, February 4th through the 7th. They’re open from 10-8 on Thursday, from 10-7 on Friday and Saturday, and from 12-4 on Sunday. Don’t forget, they’re only open the first full weekend of every month!
You can sign up for their email list to get reminders about when they’re open and more. Make sure you select the Colorado Springs store on the second page when you sign up.
Carrie’s Take
What was good:
- Reasonable prices on really cute stuff. If all you care about is the look and not the brand, I think you’ll like this store.
And not as good:
- Only open 4 days a month, so if you want to shop here you’ll need to mark your calendar. Can’t just decide you want a new purse and pop in to see what they have! (Of course, sometimes it’s good to have to wait a bit to make a purchase!)
Lillian’s Shoppe Information
Hours: first full weekend of every month. Thursday, 10-8; Friday and Saturday, 10-7; Sunday 12-4
Phone: 719.375.5165
Address: 7477 North Academy, Colorado Springs
Website: LilliansShoppe.com
Parking: Parking Lot
Credit Cards: Yes
I’m excited to see what you all think of Lillian’s Shoppe! If you attend their grand opening next week (Thursday through Sunday), be sure to leave a comment and let us know what you thought of their prices, quality, selection, etc. And, be sure to come back on Monday for a chance to win one of four $25 gift certificates to Lillian’s Shoppe!
Disclosure: these opinions are my own, and were non-compensated; however, Lillian’s Shoppe did pay an advertising fee to hold the giveaway on Monday.
I’ve always wondered how these “occasional shops” survive. Carrie, could you offer any insight? Like the Real Deals Home Decor (same concept as above mentioned)…how do these shops profit enough to pay franchise fees, property rental, employees and still make a profit? Both my husband and I have always wondered how in the world you could be successful when you’re only open a few days a month.
Brandy, I talked to Kelli about it a little bit. The two biggest things that stick out to me are that (1) they don’t have to have many or any employees when they’re only open a few days per month, and (2), when a store is only open for a “limited time”, there’s more anticipation for those few days than there is for a store than you can stop into anytime.
I know the second point is true, as my parents run a home decor business in Kansas (http://memoriesofhome.biz if you’re interested in checking it out!) and do weekend art fairs and events in their barn about once a month. They’ve found that doing events in their barn once a month is *probably* more profitable than renting a store front and being open five or six days a week, though they are considering opening a store, and are also interested in how the “occasional shop” works, too!
Anyway, I have some of the same questions, especially when you do have to pay franchise fees, but evidently it works! I have to admit that I have Real Deals Home Decor on my list of places to visit, but can’t ever seem to remember to go when they are open.
Kelli, if you have any insight, you’re welcome to share!
Tuesday Morning used to be an occasional store too, but I think now the chain stores are have regular days and hours.
I would think the traffic on the select days it’s open would be concentrated, and hopefully that concentrates sales too! Kelli has a great ocation, you don’t have to go hunting for it.
I am so excited to check out this store!! I have never been to an occasional store before but I love purses and accessories and should not buy them very often so this is perfect :)
Hi, it’s Kelli Holt, owner of Lillians Colorado Springs. Wow! What a great response to the Lillians gift certificates. I wish we could have given all of the readers a gift, but hopefully you will feel like you’ve won something once you get a chance to shop at Lillians!
As for the Occassional Sale concept. It is correct that our overhead is a bit lower since we don’t have employees, etc. We also drive our shoppers to our store in 4 days, rather than having them trickle in throughout the month. It’s not uncommon to have 20+ women in a Lillians shoppe at once!
What’s exciting for the customer is that we restock 50-75% of our inventory every month. So, when our shoppers come back the following month, it’s like shopping a new store again. Women can’t wait to come back to see what’s new.
I am excited to meet everyone, please let me know you saw us on SpringsBargains.com.
I went on Friday, soooo happy I did. I can’t even describe how excited I am about this little place. They have such unique & cute things, all very reasonably priced. The ladies working were so nice and helpful. The best part is, you are getting boutique fashion without sticker shock! I love love love Lillian’s & am so happy they are here in the Springs. I will most definitely be going back monthly to stock up on fashion forward, chic, comfortable garments that are more than just trendy….they are truly stylish.