Caribbean Charm Enjoying New Location – Hartford Courant

The new location has been a hit with customers, as Caribbean Charm has moved from Main Street to the Victorian-style boutique on the corner of Pitkin Road and New London Turnpike.

Owner Lauren Cheney, a lifelong Glastonbury resident, first opened Caribbean Charm in 2008, occupying the space above Daybreak Coffee Roasters. A move in 2013 to the 2235 Main St. location (now occupied by Nana's Infant & Children's Boutique) brought more visibility, but that brought more customers demanding more inventory.

"Basically, the other place, I was growing out of," Cheney said, adding that as Caribbean Charm's popularity grew, it became necessary to find a larger space. "This place popped up, and I just liked the space. I didn't want to move into a mall. We did a lot of renovations here. It was an office space, but we made a store out of it. We didn't want it to be like a cookie-cutter store."

The new store, at 136 New London Turnpike, opened Oct. 1, and since holiday gift-buying started soon after, there wasn't time for a grand opening celebration. A ribbon cutting on Feb. 1 included several members of the Connecticut River Valley Chamber of Commerce, which Caribbean Charm re-joined.

"The uniqueness of Caribbean Charm is indicative of the work that Lauren puts into the store," said Chamber Ambassador Bobby Dibella. "She has accumulated unique gifts from around the world that represent emphasize a a full body of feminine attire, as well as jewelry, at the right price."

Reactions to the new location have included people who say the new store feels like a well-decorated home, and that they like its proximity to Eric Town Square.

"We like the location," Cheney said. "I've gotten really good response from the customers, because they're already out and about, at lunch or dinner at the restaurants, or at other shops nearby. People come for a lot of gifts on their way, or if someone forgot their earrings, they'll stop here on their way to dinner and get some."

Caribbean Charm Boutique specializes in unique one-of-a-kind women's accessories, featuring Brighton Collectibles, Vocal, Spicy Girl, Spanx, Suzie Sleepers, a pajama line designed by Glastonbury resident Suzanne Balducci, and many other treats.

"What is hot now is Brighton. Brighton is big," Cheney said, of one particular brand of jewelry and pocketbooks. "Our own jewelry is doing well, and the clothes. I'm expanding on the clothes. I like my products to be unique. We also offer monogramming and engraving on-site."

Cheney said future renovations are likely to include larger windows, so passers-by can see more of what Caribbean Charm has to offer. Caribbean Charm also offers online shopping and services.

For more information, visit http://www.caribbeancharm.com.

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Caribbean Charm Enjoying New Location - Hartford Courant