Beth Buenaventura started her fashion business with a mobile truck.
She then added to a brick-and-mortar boutique.
Thursday, it will be transformed into a virtual shop.
Buenaventura, owner of Fresh Nostalgia, a women’s clothing and accessories store in Downtown Pittsburgh, said her company will be one of nearly a dozen style businesses that have converted trucks, campers and other vehicles into showrooms to sell clothing, jewelry, accessories and gifts taking part in The Fashion Truck, Boutique, Virtual Mobile Market.
Hours are 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday and include women business owners from across the country.
Another local fashion truck, Whimsical Wardrobe Boutique will also take part. Owner Marissa Zimmerman of Monongahela said it is a wonderful opportunity.
“Everything and I mean everything I had scheduled this year has been canceled or postponed,” said Zimmerman, who recently changed the name for a re-branding of her fashion truck. “This is such a great concept because people can still come into the boutique and shop.”
Shoppers can join in here.
Buenaventura’s shop includes vintage-inspired styles. She opened the business seven years ago. An Allegheny Township native, she now lives in Mt. Lebanon.
“This will be fun because I will get to communicate with people virtually,” she said. “And it’s an opportunity to grow my customer base from across the country. I can answer any questions they may have and I hope it creates some business, because the past few months have been rough.”
The market is organized by re: Craft & Relic, a Milwaukee-based company that had hosted several mobile boutique markets that showcase vintage, handmade and recycled goods.
Co-owner of re: Craft & Relic Josh Glidden said the pandemic inspired this type of live event.
They are using BoothCentral, another Milwaukee-based business that allows customers to enter the mobile boutiques virtually, talk with owners, and shop. There will be live programming, including interviews with boutique owners.
“What is nice about this is you can go ‘inside’ the truck or boutique and talk to the owner,” said Glidden. “I think this will be quite a unique shopping experience. You can invite a friend from across the country to go shopping with you at this virtual market.”
Boutiques will highlight fall fashions as well as sale merchandise and items specific to each of the owner’s style for the business. Glidden said these businesses have been suffering so this is hopefully a way for them to make a few sales and get some exposure from shoppers across the country. He said the event will be fun for everyone because it will bring together like-minded people who have a passion for fashion.
Purchases can be made through a store’s website.
“With covid-19 we are missing so much human interaction,” Glidden said. “This is a way to engage with people. The added bonus is you get to shop and see new fashions.”
