Bridgewater Fashionista's Dream Boutique To Open On Friday

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — Bridgewater fashionista Maria Vraniak is holding a soft opening for her first brick-and-mortar boutique called Osprey Lane in downtown Somerville.

The opening will be on Friday, May 26 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at 96 W Main Street across from Alfonso's.

Vraniak, who has lived in Bridgewater since 1998, is married and has five kids. Her love for fashion began in her high school years when she worked in retail. She transitioned into the pharmaceutical field for 18 years and then the COVID pandemic hit. Read More: Bridgewater Fashionista Turns Pop-Up Trailer Into Dream Boutique

"I thought I can't sit at home and check emails for the rest of my life," said Vraniak.

She took the plunge and went back to school and got a degree in Fashion Merchandising from Cornell University.

Vraniak started off initially with a small online business that offered unique clothing for women.

"Me being more mature I didn't want to shop at big box stores," said Vraniak, who added that most people who shop at the big stores end up wearing the same things.

"I liked the boutique-feel where you are wearing something different than everyone else," said Vraniak.

Vraniak then expanded to start offering pop-up trailers in New Jersey and Pennsylvania over the past year.

"People kept asking where my store was," said Vraniak, who found her perfect place to settle down in Somerville. "I thought this was something Somerville needed. Now I am just patiently waiting and getting ready to open."

Vraniak's boutique Osprey Lane is aptly named after the bird.

"Osprey birds are very powerful, confident, and goal-oriented. They see a path and go through with it. That's how I want women to feel. I feel a lot of that during COVID was lost," said Vraniak.

"During COVID, many people were sitting at home in sweatpants and leggings. And now they are just getting back to work and I want to make people feel powerful and confident and good about themselves again," said Vraniak.

Vraniak is targeting women aged 35 to 55 "and cool moms like myself."

However, she added the clothing works for younger and older women as well.

"Really a goal of mine is to be all-inclusive. My mom is 80 and wears my clothing and my senior in high school also wears my clothing," said Vraniak.

Osprey Lane also offers clothing in sizes from XS to 3X, accessories, shoes, and a small athleisure line for men.

She credited her family for their help and support with her business.

"My family has been behind me the whole time and I couldn't have done this without them," said Vraniak.

For more information visit osprey-lane.com or facebook.com/Ospreylaneboutique or instagram.com/ospreylaneboutique.

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