Specialty Boutique Bangles and Bags Opens March 8

Susan King Steiner and Jeanette Dvorak, owners of Bangles & Bags, offered a sneak peek of their new store at 1504 Underwood Ave. in the Village of Wauwatosa on Diva Night. The place was packed with the store’s loyal following.

The boutique specializes in handbags, jewelry and accessories is adding this fifth location to those in Delafield, Waukesha, the Third Ward and Cedarburg. Opening is scheduled March 8.

“We have been thinking about Wauwatosa for a long time,” Dvorak said. “Retailers stay for a long time and the local customer base is very loyal.”

There is a strategy to choosing a location that works, Steiner said. “We look to see if there is competition," she said. "Is the location a shopping destination? Does it have high traffic to places like theaters and restaurants? Are there events, like art walks and festivals? Is the community merchant-oriented?”

The Medical College of Wisconsin and The Ronald McDonald House provide retail traffic. “And Wauwatosa has a lot of merchant-driven events,” Dvorak said, “like Diva Night.”

Fortuitous Meeting with BID Director

Dvorak and Steiner were having lunch in the Village during the holiday season when they ran into Kathy Ehley, the executive director of the Village of Wauwatosa BID. “She said there was a great location that just came available. It was the space just vacated by Juxt on Underwood Avenue,” Dvorak said.

The store size is ideal, Dvorak said. It’s long and narrow, with plenty of storage and convenient parking. “We really like the Village," she said. "It has a great mix of restaurants, clothing boutiques, home decor and accessory shops.”

Steiner and Dvorak have blended their talents making a successful business partnership. Dvorak is good with promotion and marketing. Steiner has experience, business savvy and contacts.

The business model is pretty straightforward. Handbags are under $50. “They are different. You won’t find them anywhere else. We go on buying trips about every six to eight weeks and never buy in large volumes,” Dvorak said. “Our jewelry is always new and up-to-date. It’s important to have fresh merchandise.” The store also carries accessories of scarves and hats.

Each location carries different inventory. “We know our clientele,” Dvorak said. “We go on buying trips together so you will see some of the same things at each store, but also some things are different because each store has different clientele.” They waited until March to open the Tosa location so they could have spring stock available for customers.

At the store, customers come in and take a bucket to gather the items they are interested in, Dvorak said. “Sometimes if a customer hesitates about something and goes back to get it, it’s gone.” So buyers beware — the selection is great, but quantities are limited. 

Word is spreading about Bangles & Bags, and Dvorak and Steiner are getting good feedback about their new Tosa location. 

“We are looking forward to getting to know our Wauwatosa customers and carrying items that really appeal to them. We also are looking to expand our web site so our customers can purchase items online.” Dvorak said. “But we don’t want to change of our focus of carrying unique items in limited quantities.”