2019 Maggy Awards: Shopping

Holl & Main

Best New Business (non-restaurant), Honorable Mention for Best New Clothing

Jennifer Holland launched her boutique in May 2018 and quickly found an audience for her professional, on-trend clothing with enough pizazz to rock the party.

“I always saw a need for professional clothing in the boutique market,” said the Raleigh native.

The stylish Holland had wanted to open a clothing boutique for years, but the time never seemed right. After being diagnosed with MS in 2016, she left her corporate job and, with her husband’s support, opened Holl & Main.

The shop is open and inviting, and the staff wants everyone who walks through the door to have a great experience – even if they don’t buy anything. The store carries a wider range of sizes than found in most boutiques, and personalized styling is available to help customers find the right look for their body type. Online shoppers get that same level of customer service.

“Creating that personalized touch – even through the internet – sets us apart. You’re going to get the same Jenn online or in-store,” Holland said.

Another key part of her business plan is giving back to the community. Within six months of opening Holl & Main, she was able to donate more than $1,000 to charities like Dress for Success and the MS Society.

“I don’t think I’d be here, in a roundabout way, without MS,” Holland said. “I wouldn’t have decided to pursue my dream and follow this path.”

hollandmain.com

The Butcher’s Market

Best Specialty Foods Store

Owners Derek and Craig Wilkins have become well known for their premium meats and seafood, but The Butcher’s Market is also popular for house-made sides and entrees. The convenient, oven-ready dishes include chicken marsala, lasagna, shepherd’s pie, spaghetti and meatballs, and comfort-food favorites like macaroni and cheese.

“Our Dinner Done Easy Entrees have become popular with our customers, and each one is hand-prepared by our experienced cooks,” said operations manager Nick Santucci. “There’s typically a good rotation with the seasons, but we also have staple items that remain available year-round.”

Coming Soon — The father and son team just opened their third location in Holly Springs and will open a fourth this summer.

thebutchersmarkets.com

Park West Village

Best Shopping Center

4 — Maggy Awards for Best Shopping Center

8 — Maggy-winning businesses

3 — Residential communities

8 — Free Live in the District concerts each spring

23 — Places to grab a bite

82 — Businesses (and more opening soon!)

100 — Acres in the mixed-use development

223 — Apartments in the Station community, set to open summer 2019

parkwestvillage.net

Swagger Boutique

Best Gift Store, Best New Clothing, honorable mention Best Jewelry Store

A perennial Maggy-winner, Swagger has survived and thrived in the age of Amazon. Owner Mandy Becker reveals her secret. (Hint: it rhymes with “mustomer mervice.”)

contributed photo

How do you combat online competition? We strive for every customer to have an amazing experience every time they shop. In a world where shopping online is so easy, you have to make the brick-and-mortar experience worth a customer’s time. An enthusiastic staff, a fun store environment, top trends in both gifts and fashion, and free gift wrapping are a few ways shopping local wins over online.

What charities have you partnered with recently? In November we donated $5,000 to Raleigh Rescue Mission as part of our annual Holiday Open House event. Recently, we also made significant contributions to the American Red Cross, Marbles Kids Museum and Neighbor to Neighbor. Swagger is also proud to fund a $25,000 endowed scholarship at Wake Technical Community College to support entrepreneurial women who pursue small businesses.

What piece of clothing could you not live without? Jeans, I live in them. You will hardly ever see me in anything else — even in the middle of summer!

What accessory are you in love with right now? I have two favorite accessories; they are seriously life-changing. I wear my Invisibelt almost every day! It is a clear belt with a flat clasp, so it holds up your jeans without adding any bulk to your waistline. My second favorite is my O-venture big key ring. I’m always carrying stuff from one of my stores to the other, and it allows me to keep my keys on my wrist so I don’t lose them. I’ve had a huge problem with losing my keys in the past — just ask my staff!

swaggergifts.com

More From Our Jan-Feb 2019 Issue

• 2019 Maggy Awards: Services
• 2019 Maggy Awards: Restaurants
• 2019 Maggy Awards: Shopping
• 2019 Maggy Awards: Lifestyle
• Exam Room to Legislative Floor
• Hands On
• The Early Spring of Winter Honeysuckle
• Cary’s SideBar: Classic with a Twist
• Liquid Assets: Acorn Brown Ale from Jordan Lake Brewing Company
• Liquid Assets: Oak City Amaretto
• Picture Perfect!
• Sorghum-Spiked Challah French Toast from Postmaster
• Tobacco Road Marathon
• From the Editor: January 2019