Denise Strait

Owner Denise Strait said the intimate atmosphere is one of the reasons clients return.

"New customers love the environment because it's warm and inviting and there's no pressure," she said.
...
"We carry fun, everyday clothing you can't find in other stores," Strait said.

"Our clothing appeals to a wide range of women.A customer can put a nice outfit together for a couple of hundred dollars."

The location at 55 W. Bankview Drive also is a plus.

"A lot of women are tired of going to the mall," Strait said."I'm a big boutique shopper.I'm not a mall shopper.And I wanted to bring this to Frankfort."

Strait opened the shop a year ago after spending 13 years in the snow-contracting business.

She left a job as executive secretary in Chicago when her husband, Randy, needed office help at Arctic Snow and Ice Control in Frankfort.

After Strait joined her husband's company, business quadrupled in five years.The expansion included a second Arctic location in Waukegan.

"We became so large so quickly, I couldn't walk away," said Strait, who handled sales for multimillion-dollar commercial accounts.
...
"I love working with women one on one," Strait said."It's far different than working in a business with 95 percent men."

Four months after the Frankfort boutique made its debut, Strait opened a 1,350-square-foot store in Oak Brook.

"It seemed like a natural thing to do.It was one of those instincts," said Strait, who employs 10 people between the two stores.
...
Every few months, Strait and Ursich travel to Los Angeles, Chicago or Las Vegas to bring their clients the latest trends in jeans, jeweled T-shirts, casual dresses and purses, shoes, jewelry and hair accessories.

Manager Gloria Ursich, left, owner Denise Strait, center, and co-manager Debbie Bell, right, are seen in Girlfriends Closet in Frankfort.
...
Owner Denise Strait said the intimate atmosphere is one of the reasons clients return.

"New customers love the environment because it's warm and inviting, and there's no pressure," she said.
...
"We carry fun, everyday clothing you can't find in other stores," Strait said.

"Our clothing appeals to a wide range of women.A customer can put a nice outfit together for a couple hundred dollars."

The location at 55 W. Bankview Drive also is a plus.

"A lot of women are tired of going to the mall," Strait said."I'm a big boutique shopper.I'm not a mall shopper.And I wanted to bring this to Frankfort."

Strait opened the shop in July after spending 13 years in the snow contracting business.

She left a job as executive secretary in Chicago when her husband, Randy, needed office help at Arctic Snow and Ice Control in Frankfort.

After Strait joined her husband's company, business quadrupled within five years.The expansion included a second Arctic location in Waukegan.

"We became so large so quickly, I couldn't walk away," said Strait, who handled sales for multimillion dollar commercial accounts.
...
"I love working with women one-on-one," Strait said."It's far different than working in a business with 95 percent men."

Four months after the Frankfort boutique made its debut, Strait opened a 1,350-square-foot store in Oak Brook.

"It seemed like a natural thing to do.It was one of those instincts," said Strait, who employs 10 people between the two stores.
...
Every few months, Strait and Ursich travel to Los Angeles, Chicago or Las Vegas to bring their clients the latest trends in jeans, jeweled T-shirts, casual dresses and purses, shoes, jewelry and hair accessories.

Denise Strait - Owner since 1993

denise@arcticsnowandice.com