Leigh LeBoeuf inside Gamine

It was nice to appear in the Dayton Daily News B2B magazine this month- and to be quoted, but, don’t you worry- we’ll still have the clothes you want

Dayton region stores adjust for struggling economy

By Jennie Szink B2B Staff Writer

In the fall of 2008, Leigh LeBoeuf, owner of Gamine boutique, found herself with excess inventory and fewer sales. The effects of the credit crisis and the rising unemployment in the Dayton region had hit and, nearly a year later, continues to climb. With customers saving more and spending less in the last few quarters, some retailers such as LeBoeuf have had to change their tools of survival, yet others haven’t been crunched.

When LeBoeuf felt the squeeze right before the “tough holiday season” in 2008, she made more markdowns than usual in her Oakwood shop, and her vendors allowed her to rework her orders. Now, when she orders, she takes fewer risks on new products, stocking her store with pieces she knows customers will pick up. “I’ve cut down orders,” LeBoeuf said. “I’ve focused on the items I want to bring in. I know my customers. I know what they are looking for.”

… In LeBoeuf’s case, her expectations for the summer months left her short of cocktail dresses for her customers. “I thought people would go to the back of their closet,” said LeBoeuf, noting she didn’t order as many dresses as she could have. Perhaps her solid spring and summer sales were a result of her “loyal” customers, as LeBoeuf described them, or perhaps they are a testament to economists’ predictions. Bentley said he remains optimistic that things are going to get better, but the question is, will it be the holiday season or the spring? As the past year shows, there is no crystal ball.

A big thank you to Jennie Szink for writing the piece, and to all my customers who told me they saw it.

2. A luxurious cashmere VINCE sweater worn alone or with a skinny belt to cinch it in.

3. A statement piece of jewelry – either a KENDRA SCOTT cuff or necklace

4. A LOVE QUOTES scarf in any one of the rich and exquisit colors.

5. Lastly my favorite – TOM FORD sunglasses! Need I say more.

Fun surprises!!

Gamine's display at the Jewish Federation of Dayton

Our display is up at the Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton.  We are the featured sponsors this week

20-80% OFF + 20% additional with this ad

All our Spring and Summer merchandise is marked down 20 – 80%.

Come in the month of July and receive an additional 20% off ONE reduced item.

See you soon.

Tiffany

tiffany

My fabulous Fall Big Buddha bags came in yesterday. This brand has a cult like following and I can see why. The look is so chic and fashionable while the price point is incrediable. Not 1 bag is over $100.

Also my all time favorite clutch is back this year. It retails for $60 and its classic shape and design is perfect for an evening out.

The charity I choose for the evening was The Mark A. Kreusch Memorial Fund. I am humbled by all the supportive women who came out to shop at Gamine for the day and into the night. The Kreusch’s and there family are true hero’s in my book.

Please make sure to sign up for an evening at Fifth Third Field when there will a balloon launch right before the Dayton Dragons game to remember Mark.  Sunday, August 23 at 7:00pm.

Thanks again – leigh

We see you checking us out

We just ran this ad  featuring our Tom Ford sunglasses.  It’s summertime, but, they’ve been popular year round. We’re also letting people know that fashions from Prairie NY and Alice + Olivia are arriving in time for Fall.

Come check us out- from behind your new shades.

Ad for Gamine Trunk Show

Meredith Moss helped promote “Shopping for good in the ‘wood” with an article in today’s paper. Hopefully, we’ll see lots of you at the Sarah Briggs and Kendra Scott Jewelry trunk show this Thursday.

Each of the participating shops has chosen a local beneficiary. For each sale made Thursday, July 9, the store will give 20 percent to their selected charity.

All of these shops are owned by women.

“I think with the current economy this is a trend with boutiques trying to do their part,” says Leigh LeBoeuf, who has been running her shop for four years. Gamine, formerly The Pink Daisy, sells high-end women’s contemporary designer clothing.

The charity she’s chosen is the Mark Kreusch Memorial Fund, a component of the Dayton Foundation. She says her choice is both personal and emotional.

“Mark was a 4-year-old boy killed tragically last August in a boating accident,” LeBoeuf says. “The foundation provides grants — they’ve built a playground at Mark’s pre-school and have recently redone an entire room at Oak Tree Corner, the grieving center for children who have lost a parent or someone special.

“I have children, Susie Kreusch is a friend, and this is a wonderful thing they are doing.”

via Oakwood shopping will benefit Miami Valley charities.

Other participating shops are Collage, Whispers Home, Preen Apothecary, Fron Inside Out and Cork and Vine will be providing wine for our progressive wine tasting event that will begin at 4pm.