2008 Woodie Awards
In the Maude for shopping
Anna Nguyen
Issue date: 8/27/08 Section: Life & Style
Enter Maude and the customer sees a palette with a lot of vivid colors and funky, vintage furniture. A fuchsia table flaunts shoes and clutches. A bright pink wardrobe showcases a frame of earrings and various bangles, rings, and sunglasses accentuate the display. To the right of the wardrobe is a doorway that leads the customer to the clothes.
The interior of Maude is deliberately decorated to have the essence of being in "a funky old bedroom," said owner and Texas native Becca Russell. "The furniture is what would be found in a lady's bedroom."
Russell found the furniture in antique stores and flea markets and hand painted the chairs, she said.
"I spent two months decorating," Russell said. "I did everything myself."
The existence of Maude began about a year ago. Russell, who had worked in retail while attending college, sold her house and decided to invest her money in opening a store instead of buying a new house, she said.
Maude, named after her mother's maiden name, boasts dresses, tops, shoes, jewelry, purses, and scarves. Russell stocks her store's inventory from markets in New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Dallas, she said.
"[All of the items] are handpicked, things that I like," said Russell, who admires the styles of Rachel Bilson and Sarah Jessica Parker. "I don't like to stick to a particular style. I like floral prints and menswear. I try to have fun [with fashion] and try different things."
The versatility of clothes that Maude offers is also thoughtful for its shoppers. The customers range from college girls to young, professional women, Russell said.
"I would say the median age of the shoppers is between 18 to 40-year-olds," she said.
The opening of Maude has been a good investment. The boutique, which is located on 2800 N. College Ave., has been consistently busy despite being a small local store.
"We don't advertise a lot," Russell said. "[The store's reputation] has been spread by word of mouth.
"I'm thinking about moving the store closer to Dickson Street," she said. "I need more space."
Russell said she hopes to continue Maude's success in Fayetteville. Despite competition from bigger, department stores, Maude offers alternative clothing and the boutique "is not corporate," Russell said.
The interior of Maude is deliberately decorated to have the essence of being in "a funky old bedroom," said owner and Texas native Becca Russell. "The furniture is what would be found in a lady's bedroom."
Russell found the furniture in antique stores and flea markets and hand painted the chairs, she said.
"I spent two months decorating," Russell said. "I did everything myself."
The existence of Maude began about a year ago. Russell, who had worked in retail while attending college, sold her house and decided to invest her money in opening a store instead of buying a new house, she said.
Maude, named after her mother's maiden name, boasts dresses, tops, shoes, jewelry, purses, and scarves. Russell stocks her store's inventory from markets in New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Dallas, she said.
"[All of the items] are handpicked, things that I like," said Russell, who admires the styles of Rachel Bilson and Sarah Jessica Parker. "I don't like to stick to a particular style. I like floral prints and menswear. I try to have fun [with fashion] and try different things."
The versatility of clothes that Maude offers is also thoughtful for its shoppers. The customers range from college girls to young, professional women, Russell said.
"I would say the median age of the shoppers is between 18 to 40-year-olds," she said.
The opening of Maude has been a good investment. The boutique, which is located on 2800 N. College Ave., has been consistently busy despite being a small local store.
"We don't advertise a lot," Russell said. "[The store's reputation] has been spread by word of mouth.
"I'm thinking about moving the store closer to Dickson Street," she said. "I need more space."
Russell said she hopes to continue Maude's success in Fayetteville. Despite competition from bigger, department stores, Maude offers alternative clothing and the boutique "is not corporate," Russell said.
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