Step into any high-end Parisian shop, and you’ll find unparalleled customer service, a welcoming environment and fashionable clothes that often cost more than a car. Replace those pricey outfits with affordable choices to get Apricot Lane – a locally owned franchise of this national women’s boutique chain specializing in “fast fashion with a European flair,” according to owner Pinja Bowman. Apricot Lane opened at The Shops of Legacy North in October, just in time for the holiday season.
Whether searching for a sparkly dress for a Christmas party or a playful tassel necklace to spice up business attire, shoppers will find it at Apricot Lane. And with new clothes and accessories arriving daily (and not sticking around for long), women are practically guaranteed an exclusively-for-her outfit.
“Nobody wants to go to a party and have someone else wearing the same dress,” said Pinja. “At Apricot Lane Legacy, we want to support women’s desire for being on trend with a unique sense of style, and make it affordable enough to shop frequently.”
Pinja hand-selects local and international clothing brands for Apricot Lane, with an average price range of $29-$69. Right now, the season’s biggest trends include leopard print, faux fur, sequins camouflage, anything mustard or hunter green, corduroy and playful hats. If you like what you see, you’ll be rewarded – customers earn one point per dollar spent, with 300 points equaling a $15 off coupon, in addition to other sales and incentives frequently offered.
Brands available at Apricot Lane Legacy include Vero Moda, European business casual clothes; My State Threads, Texas T-shirts and hats; Rock & Ramble jewelry, a favorite among “American Idol” and “The Voice” artists; 3 Strands, an accessories company that supports human trafficking survivors; Blaine Bowen; Quay Australia and more. This store is also the first in Texas to partner with Travel in Chic to carry their stylish vegan leather versatile bags. “We are always looking for the right mix of fun and function,” explained Pinja.
Before opening the doors to Apricot Lane, Pinja worked for global telecom company Nokia for 13 years. She grew up in Helsinki, Finland, and met her Texas-born husband, Cody Bowman, in London at work. Pinja decided that life was too short to not follow her dreams, so she moved to Texas in 2010 for a fresh start.
Pinja and Cody got married in 2014 and now operate Apricot Lane Legacy together. Completing the family-run business venture is Renee Hammonds, Cody’s daughter, who serves as store manager. “I have always wanted to be an entrepreneur,” said Pinja. “With a gift for sales and a passion for fashion, Apricot Lane made sense, and it had the perfect business structure to enter the market quickly.”
Each Apricot Lane boutique in the U.S. is unique somehow, from merchandise choices to the store layout. The Legacy location offers a special “Man Cave,” where guys can relax on plush seating next to the complimentary wet bar while the ladies shop. This store also supports several local organizations, including the Women’s Auxiliary to Children’s Medical Center Plano.
“I love Plano and The Shops at Legacy; it is very urban and reminds me of Europe,” said Pinja. “There is no other place we would call home.”
