Mother-Daughter Duo Revitalizes Golden Valley Clothing Store
In this holiday shopping season, small businesses are doing what they can to bring in customers.
“It’s hard competing with big box stores,” said Connie Sauer, owner of Mainstream Boutique in Golden Valley. “It is, for sure, hard.”
Mainstream Boutique is a small women’s clothing store.
It has locations all over the U.S., but Sauer bought the Golden Valley franchise along with her daughter, Alaina, in 2019.
When the mother-daughter duo began their business journey six years ago, it started with an immediate challenge.
“We bought the store and we were just learning how to run our store and we got shut down six months later,” said Sauer.
“During COVID we had to get, definitely, creative with what do we do?” added Alaina Sauer, who is also the store manager. “We are shut down. We have to pay rent, how are we even gonna pay ourselves.”
In order for the business to survive the COVID shutdown, they had to get creative. So, they pivoted to producing online videos.
Mainstream Boutique is located at 679 Winnetka Ave. N. in Golden Valley
‘Tuesday Night Live’
Now, every Tuesday at 7 p.m., Connie and Alaina put on a live show (aired on Facebook, Instagram, and the store website) where they showcase new and exciting merchandise.
Anyone who tunes in can purchase those items right on the spot.
“We only get very limited sizes and quantities of things, so people know that if they really love it, that they do have to buy it pretty quickly to know that they get their size and to guarantee that item in stock,” said Alaina. “So, it’s kind of nice because it gives that urgency for customers to buy.”
Alaina Sauer shows off a wardrobe during a recent live streaming event.
The live events have not only been successful for the business, they’ve been a lot of fun.
“We have just made so many women feel amazing, and that’s what we’re all about,” said Alaina.
And at the same time, the experience has brought this mother-daughter team closer together.
“[Alaina] shows up every day with a smile,” said Connie. “She’s dependable. She’s the best business partner I could have asked for, and I’m super blessed by that.”
Related: Face-to-Face Retailers Adapt to New Normal During Pandemic
