Have you heard the news? This past fall, Assembly88 opened a women’s boutique called Assembly88 For Her. Offering many of the retailer’s beloved brands, the neighboring storefront provides the perfect his-and-her shopping experience in Downtown Allentown. Read on to hear from owner Santo Napoli and manager/buyer Ashley Gibiser!
Tell us about the journey to launching Assembly88 For Her!
Assembly88 has been in business for the last nine years and a good portion of our customer base was women shopping for the men in their life. Time and time again we would hear “Can you open a store for women?” When the space next to the store became available we jumped at the chance to make that happen. It took years of brainstorming, months of construction and a tremendous amount of patience, but we got here!
In what ways do the Assembly88 shops complement and support one another?
When it came to designing the women’s side, it was really important that the stores had separate entrances, but connected from the inside. This not only allows for a more convenient shopping experience, but also gives customers a chance to see full collections from shared brands, like Faherty and Vuori.
What type of clothing items and accessories can shoppers expect to find in-store?
We’ve curated a high-quality collection of clothing and accessories that appeal to every aspect in a woman's life. Whether you’re out running errands, hitting up the golf course or heading for a night out on the town, we’ve got you covered!
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Tell us about some of the specific brands that the shop carries.
Both the men’s store and women’s store carry Patagonia, Vuori, Faherty, Barbour, Peter Millar, On Cloud and Uggs. We also wanted to carry brands that were exclusive to the women’s side, like Lilly Pulitzer, Z Supply and Brighton.
What have been some of the bestsellers and customer favorites so far?
The Vuori Daily Pocket Legging and Performance Joggers have been our bestseller so far. Followed by the ever-popular shirt and jacket hybrid… the shacket (which is available in a number of different brands).
Describe the overall vibe of the store and the shopping experience for customers.
We understand that bouncing from store to store looking for coveted brands can be a challenge, so we’ve carefully curated a collection that allows you to shop high quality under one roof. The store is bright, open and always beautifully merchandised (shout-out to our awesome staff for that one!). When women shop here, we want them to feel a sense of belonging. The goal has always been to have something for every woman, for every aspect of her life.
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How has the store been received by the community so far?
It’s been overwhelming how supportive our customers and neighboring businesses have been. Everyone that comes in is excited and looking forward to the growth of the business. We plan to keep that energy moving forward!
What are some items that you’re excited to offer this spring/summer?
We’re really excited to dive deeper into denim with brands like Pistola and Faherty. We’re also bringing in more jewelry lines and unique gift items to keep growing that boutique aesthetic.
542 Hamilton St., Allentown | 610.433.7625 | assembly88.com
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Published as “Get the Goods” in the April 2024 edition of Lehigh Valley Style magazine.
