New Boutique Owner Trades California for Hoboken

Hannah Caillier came a long way to open dear hannah, her new clothing boutique at 503 Washington St. She moved to Hoboken after growing up in southern California.

“I just decided I was ready for a change,” Caillier said. “The two [east and west coasts] are totally different, different attitudes, even different fashions.”

Caillier said she has always been interested in New York City, and had first looked for a place to live and work there, but opted instead for Hoboken after friends introduced her to the city. “Hoboken is a little community, it's very homey,” she said. “It's close enough to New York without being in New York.”

Caillier went to fashion school and had worked many different jobs within the fashion industry including corporate operations, designing, and merchandise buying before opening her own store. “It's always been my dream,” she said. “I worked on all different levels and I said I wanted to do it for myself.”

Caillier, 24, said that many people have asked how she could own a store at such a young age. But while she acknowledges the risk, she's more confident she made the right move.

“There's no better time than now to just do it,” she said. “With that risk also comes reward.”

The name of the boutique is actually dear hannah, all lowercase, and also with a comma at the end, evoking the opening of a letter. Caillier said she thought of the name because she often writes in a journal. She said she likes the daintiness of lowercase letters.

The boutique sells a lot of immediates, which are clothes that meet current fashion trends. Callier said right now these trends include pastel colors, especially mint green, and print designs, lace fabric and crochet stitching.

Caillier described her inventory, which also includes accessories, as fun and friendly. Most of the clothing items cost between $20 and $50. Caillier said business has grown since she opened in May. She started with two employees and now has six.

The boutique is open Monday through Sunday beginning at 10 a.m., and closes every day at 9 p.m. except for Sundays when it closes at 7 p.m. For more information visit the dear hannah, Facebook page.

Coming Soon: The Kolo Klub opens; plus, Luxe retools.

The Business Beat covers businesses opening, closing, renovating, relocating and celebrating anniversaries in the Mile Square. Have a Hoboken related business tip? Send an email to alanskontra@hotmail.com.