New Boutique Offers Designer Clothing with a Personal Touch

Janis Krew-Lavenstein is looking to bring high fashion to the Hunt Valley area. 

Krew-Lavenstein, a Reisterstown resident, recently opened Lasting Impressions: Fashion Shop, a clothing boutique, at 10862 York Road in Cockeysville. She shares the storefront with her husband Randy Lavenstein who sells custom t-shirts, laminated business cards and other prints at Lasting Impressions: Art. 

"The neat thing about this store is that it's not a box store," she said. "It's boutique clothing you won't see everybody wearing."

Krew-Lavenstein's family has been in the clothing business since the late 1960s, and owned boutiques in Pikesville and Randallstown. Prior to opening up Fashion Shop two months ago, she hosted house parties where she showcased and sold designer clothing. She describes the style at her new store as "conservative with an edge."

"The clothes are unique," Krew-Lavenstein said. "I carry a little bit of everything. Things you can wear to work, out on the town. I have an eye for details, like fabric that is slenderizing."

But she said personal attention is what sets her business apart. 

"The store is for any woman who wants custom fit designer clothing," she said. "If it doesn't fit perfectly, I do pinnings here and give it to a seamstress who does work for a reasonable price." 

And to promote her new venture, Krew-Lavenstein hosts girls' night at Piv's Pub in Cockeysville on the first Tuesday of each month starting at 5:30 p.m. At the Tuesday evening event, women can enjoy half-priced drinks while getting a sneak peak at some of the clothing offered at Fashion Shop. 

This is where Krew-Lavenstein met Tam Oros, a Cockeysville resident who is quickly becoming a regular client.

"The dresses are adorable and the prices are very reasonable," Oros said. "I had friends over to dinner two weeks ago and I showed them one of the dresses and they were like 'Oh, I want to come.'"

The Fashion Shop sells jeans for under $100, dresses for under $150 and tops between $35 and $100.