Two new businesses that have opened in Bangor in the past month each cater to women looking for something special — be it that unique little gift for a loved one, or the perfect thing to wear on her special day.
In December, the clothing, home decor and vintage shop Ivy & Lace opened at 173 Park St., across the street from One Lupine Fiber Arts. Billing itself as a “feminine boutique,” Ivy & Lace offers both vintage and new items, including furniture, glassware, linens, books and clothing.
Located just up the hill from City Hall, next to One Lupine Fiber Arts, Ivy & Lace is owned by the mother-daughter team of Kathy Reeves and Victoria Roy. Reeves is a longtime area teacher and nurse, and Roy is currently a nursing student at the University of Maine. After initially opening their shop last year in Brewer, the pair decided in the fall to expand to a larger space and move to the Park Street location. It’s open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Reeves says their store is inspired by upscale women’s clothing and home decor chain Anthropologie — though where Anthropologie offers brand new things that look vintage, Ivy & Lace offers vintage-looking things that actually are vintage.
“We have a unique kind of shop that I don’t think anyone else in the area is doing,” said Reeves. “Our big thing is taking old furniture and home decor, and fixing it up and repurposing it… we go to estate sales and yard sales and look online all the time and find pieces and give them new life. And in our case, that vintage chest you’re looking it is actually vintage. It’s actually from the 30s. And it’s affordable.”
Just a few weeks after Ivy & Lace opened, another new Bangor boutique is also offering special products for During the first week of January, Blush Bridal & Formal opened at 15 State St. in downtown Bangor, near the corner of State and Exchange streets. Blush is the sister store to Pancsofar’s Bridal Boutique in Presque Isle, in operation for more than 40 years.
The business, housed in the historic 1912 stone building that also houses women’s clothing store Sea of Cotton, offers high-end but affordable bridal and formal wear in a comfortable, chic environment. An eye-catching window display has been up since the New Year, showcasing jewel-toned dresses and clouds of white tulle and little white lights.
Proprietor Courtney Wetzel offers a wide array of bridal and formal fashions for young women. Bridal lines include Maggie Sottero, Allure, Emmaline, Stella York and more, while bridesmaid lines include Allure and Sorella Vita. There are also an array of prom and pageant dresses and dresses for other formal occasions. Blush offers one-on-one sessions for brides-to-be, bridesmaids and prom-goers, and also offers tuxedo registries for groom’s parties. Appointments are strongly encouraged for brides and bridal parties; to set up a time, call 573-1647. Blush Bridal is also on Facebook.
