Women’s store opens doors
TN — When Grace’s Shop for Ladies in Green Hills closed its doors last summer, longtime employees Lisha Orman and Jean Stratton took it as a sign.
For 15 years, the pair had dreamed of opening their own women’s clothing and accessories shop.
“But we were so happy at Grace’s, and we knew we couldn’t leave,” Orman said. “When it closed, we both said to ourselves, ‘It’s time. It’s now or never.’ “
For four months, the pair readied themselves — ordering merchandise and packing it away in their homes while serving customers through home visits.
They held a trunk show in August and raised $68,000 to put with their savings toward opening the shop. And when they heard about a leasing opportunity in Belle Meade from friends who were former customers of Grace’s, they didn’t hesitate.
Belle Meade Drugs had been sold to Walgreens — leaving 2,500 square feet of space available for a new shop adjoining two existing businesses, the Belle Meade Gift Shop and Bridges Restaurant, at 85 White Bridge Road, said owner Tom Zazzi.
“We were looking for somebody that would complement the gift shop and restaurant,” said Zazzi, a Franklin resident. “We talked to a lot of different people, but they were never quite right until (Stratton and Orman) came along.”
On Dec. 19, the pair opened The Ladies Shoppe.
Social Connections
Problem displaying Facebook posts. Backup cache in use.
