Jul 12, 2007

It’s a woman’s world at Softer SideBy Karen HansonSuburbanChicagoNews.com

Frankfort — From the pink walls to the sweet scents to the long counter filled with baubles and beads, it’s clear The Softer Side gift shop is a woman’s world.

The store, at 621 N. LaGrange Road, specializes in gifts appealing to women, such as jewelry, handbags, home accent pieces, picture frames, aromatherapy, candles, wedding accessories and baby gifts.

“It’s a gift boutique for today’s woman,” explained owner Jodey Volpi, who opened the shop in March 2006.

But focusing on the feminine doesn’t mean it’s all glamour and glitz, Volpi said. Some of the best selling items are the “attitude” clothing, shirts, swim cover-ups and nightshirts with humorous sayings highlighting women’s strength and “sisterhood.”

Volpi said she was inspired to create a female-focused gift shop based on her own shopping habits. When she and her friends would go out shopping, it was always the “girl things” that caught their eyes, she said.

A 25-year resident of Frankfort, Volpi, 48, felt The Softer Side would be a great fit for the town. “I watched the town grow and development,” she said. “I love this town, and I felt that Frankfort needed a gift store.” The store name was suggested by her husband, Michael.

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