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A Cow Town Goes Designer

In the past five years, Missoula has had an influx of new high-end boutiques along Higgins Avenue. Stores like Skin Chic and Nolita have proven themselves as viable businesses. In fact, they are so successful, both have branched out and opened sister stores in other Western states. Now, newer retail businesses like Betty's Divine and Coco are trying to do the same.

But is Missoula upscaling quickly enough support all of these designer-savvy stores or will over-saturation of a niche market set in?

Editor's Note: This is the final story in a series looking into how changing demographics are creating a new age in Missoula's boutique scene. Click here to read the entire series of snapshots of local businesses that are part of, or starting the trend. [more]

A Cow Town Goes Designer

While most designer boutiques cater to the size-six (or 34-B) woman, for the past two years Missoulians have been lucky with the selection at Bella Donna.

"We have bras for every woman," says Noreen Barron, co-owner of Bella Donna. "It's not a cookie-cutter type of place."

Editor's Note: This is sixth in a series looking into how changing demographics are creating a new age in Missoula's boutique scene. Each day, New West is bringing you snapshots of the local businesses that are part of, and setting the trend. Click here to track all the installments. [more]

A Cow Town Goes Designer

The newest boutique to hit downtown Missoula is Coco. Open nearly two months, Coco was one of the first to set up shop in the newly revamped 300 block of North Higgins Ave.

Carrying high-end brands such as Trina Turk, Theory, Sanctuary and Diane von Furstenberg, Coco caters mainly to Missoula's 30-55 year old woman. "She's a woman who probably can afford a little bit better clothes that fit her well and make her feel good," says co-owner Alice Marquardt.

Editor's Note: This is the fifth in a series looking into how changing demographics are creating a new age in Missoula's boutique scene. Each day, New West is bringing you snapshots of the local businesses that are part of, and setting the trend. Click here to track all the installments. [more]

A Cow Town Goes Designer

Betty's Divine owner and manager, Aimee McQuilkin, says she has wanted to open her own store since she was 10-years-old, but it was only recently that she found a niche she could call her own.

Officially opening on August 15 of last year, Betty's Divine is all about fashion-forward clothing in a moderate price range, McQuilkin says. She describes her target shopper as women between 18 and 55 who are, "young professionals, college students, fashion-forward moms and people who like to support downtown Missoula, small designers and their communities."

Editor's Note: This is the fourth in a six-part series looking into how changing demographics are creating a new age in Missoula's fashion scene. Each day, New West is bringing you snapshots of the local businesses that are part of, and setting the trend. On Friday, we'll discuss what the trend means to Missoula's make up and the West at large. Click here to track all the installments. [more]

A Cow Town Goes Designer

Editor's Note: This is the third in a six-part series looking into how changing demographics are creating a new age in Missoula's boutique scene. Each day, New West is bringing you snapshots of the local businesses that are part of, and setting the trend. Click here to track all the installments.

One of Missoula's most distinctive clothing stores since opening in May of 1999, Rainbow's End has proved itself a viable business in downtown Missoula.

"Missoula didn't have anything like Rainbow's End," co-manager John West says. When West and his wife Miranda first opened the store, it was approximately half the size of the current store. It has expanded so much it has been remodeled twice since first opening six and a half years ago. [more]

A Cow Town Goes Designer

Editor's Note: This is the second in a six-part series looking into how changing demographics are creating a new age in Missoula's boutique scene. Each day, New West is bringing you snapshots of the local businesses that are part of, and setting, the trend. Click here to track all the installments.

Cindy Duncan, the owner of Skin Chic, Missoula's premier makeup shop, says the attention employees give to customers is one of the things that has given the store such staying power.

"It's sort of like having a personal trainer, but with your skin," Duncan said. [more]

A Cow Town Goes Designer

In the past five years downtown Missoula has been growing -- into Montana's next big fashion district.

Missoula business owners are wising up to the idea that a demographics push is demanding designer labels. A few years ago women wishing to buy the ultra-flattering Michael Stars tee or Great China Wall Seven jeans had to drive to Spokane, Wash. and visit Nordstrom or another store along River Park Square. And those who weren't up for the three-hour drive could Internet shop their way to designer bliss. But now western towns are booming with urban fashion and a shopping addict can get their fix with a trip right here in Missoula down Higgins Ave.

Throughout the week New West is giving snapshots of Missoula's designer-savvy stores and at the end of the week we'll discuss the future of this new trend and what it means for Missoula and the West at large. We start today with an interview with the owner of one of Missoula's first designer boutiques, Nolita. [more]