When business had to shut down due to COVID-19 last March, Mainstream Boutique acclimated to the times and found a way to bring its customers’ in-store shopping experience to a weekly online fashion show via Facebook Live.
“The [online fashion shows] became a light in a dull time for women,” says shop owner, Kelly Arcand. For women, who were homebound and busy with work and/or kids, the shows became an outlet of entertainment. Now that the store is open again, Arcand says their clients still want to watch their online shows. Every Tuesday at 6 p.m., 15 to 20 outfits are showcased live; the videos are then posted to the Mainstream Boutique of White Bear Lake Facebook page.
With the help of her daughter, Natalie, she puts together the outfits, each piece with a number, and explains on-camera content, color and fabric of the item. Women can comment in real-time and ask questions or purchase an item. Both Kelly and Natalie say the videos help clients see a snippet of what they have and, in-turn, brings in the foot traffic.
And the experience has strengthened Kelly and Natalie’s relationships with their clients.
