Boutique aims to bring out the goddess in women

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21: A new boutique aimed at bringing the goddess out in women from the baby boomer generation has opened in town.

Hera Boutique officially opened on November 27 and is located in the Old Cellar in Walker Arcade.

Owner Joan Cabral said the name Hera comes from the Greek goddess Hera who was known to be the most beautiful.

‘The idea is when ladies come in, they will find something that will bring out the goddess”, she added.

Ms Cabral has a background in retail and, despite the recession, remains confident of opening a shop during the recession.

“I used to buy at the ladies ready wear at Trimingham’s.

“I also worked for a brief period at Cecile’s and then Crown Colony.”

Ms Cabral then went on to do a psychology degree at Queen’s University but came back to Bermuda to help her father with the Animal and Garden House.

“It was supposed to be one summer and it turned out to be 11 years.

“We sold it two and a half years ago and throughout the course of those years, especially when Trimingham’s and Smith’s closed, I have had lots of people ask me to do something because there wasn’t anything for baby boomers and up to find quality, classic clothing.

She continued: “An opportunity presented itself to me and I decided to go with it.

“I’ve had nothing but positive comments and feedback.”

Ms Cabral said before she decided to open Hera, she did research and had professional consultations in both Bermuda and New York.

She also worked with the Bermuda Small Business Development Corporation who she described as “fabulous”.

 “I have had a couple people say you must be nuts in this economic climate but out of 100 people, maybe two people have said that to me.

Going with it

“My advice is if the circumstance are right and if things are falling into place, go with it.

“The economic climate isn’t always going to be like this.

“If you wait for the right time, it might not come.”

Hera Boutique carries clothing lines from Italy, Germany and Portugal.

She also has clothing coming from the UK and the US.

“It’s a boutique and I have vendors who only supply boutiques and special stores.

“It’s quality items.

“I have worked really hard to get retail within a certain range.

“The prices are higher than a department store, it’s what we call ‘better to bridge’.”

Mrs Cabral said there is clothing in the shop that can go from day to evening wear just by changing a top or accessories.

“We have a little bit of everything.

“We have the pants, the blouses and the tops, and we have a few dresses.

“I have a small collection of evening wear from size eight to 16.

“It’s not on the floor so people have to ask me.”

She continued: “Many people go to the same events here so what I’m trying to avoid is having someone show up in a dress and someone else have the same dress.”

Given enough notice, Mrs Cabral also offers special orders for her customers.

Speaking on other stores in Bermuda, Ms Cabral said: “There are some nice boutique stores and the department stores do well but there’s no store that seems to focus on the Baby Boomers. “That’s my niche market. Anyone of any age that has more classic taste will find something here.”

She continued: “What I’m doing is certainly not taking away from other retailers here.

“It’s actually enhancing what already exists.”

Hera Boutique

Open: Tuesday though Saturday from 10am to 5:30pm and on Sundays from 1pm to 5pm seasonal.
For more information, call 232 4372.