Imagine you’re living in Paris. Pampering yourself each day is a must. You and all your girlfriends were born to shop. Regularly. Now, you’re back here in downtown Statesville. Where are you? At Gracie.

When you walk into Gracie, breathe in the Parisian charm, the old world/new world nostalgia. It just drips off the walls. “We’re unique,” Gracie (aka Gail Sommer Germain) tells me. “We have a bit of everything for fabulous women.” Experiencing Gracie might take awhile, perhaps a lifetime, but it will be a lifetime of fun!

Gracie is Gail’s new boutique destination for women on the hunt for clothes, gifts, interior fashions, boots, bags and more. Cozy and inviting, like every chic woman’s home, Gracie has that classic French feel. Enter at the corner of Water and N. Center Streets in the Barnard Building and wander from one elegant display to the next. Gracie’s delightful treasures will stir your imagination.

FABULOUS FASHIONS FOR FABULOUS FEMALES
Looking for a fresh new look? Explore “Le Dressing Room.” There you’ll find a spacious closet-like nook filled with fabulous styles you won’t find anywhere else. “We have everything women love–and need,” Gracie shares. “I choose classic styles tweaked for today. Our selection of jeans from labels like PZI, MEK Denim and Miss Me come in all shapes and sizes.” Straight, skinny, bootleg, classic, distressed, slim or full–Gracie’s jeans will fit you perfectly. Curvy women will find clothes that fit and look great. “With sizes 0 to 18,” Gail says, “every woman can select stylish, comfortable clothes.” Choose a unique ruched, rhinestoned or painted knit top, a jazzy scarf, cool jacket, belt and leggings, and you’re good to go! The fabrics, cuts and designs of Gracie clothing WOW you with cutting edge fashion that’s forever-in-style and wonderfully affordable. Your inner diva is transformed when you wear Gracie.

BED, BATH AND PAMPERING
Wander over to “Le Boudoir” for pampering luxuries. Match BedHead pajamas with a comfy Aegean bathrobe, and you’re channeling Reece Witherspoon in Legally Blonde. What’s your slipper preference–spa styles in soft microfiber, Bon Bon handcrafted silks or whimsical Goody Goody slippers you can wear as casual shoes? Take your pick–your feet will thank you. Then surround yourself with custom bedroom fashions: bedding, linens and pillows.

“Le Bath” features Gracie’s extravagant selection of fragrance, bubbles, soaps, lotions, creams, powders, and body butters. Even airbrushed tans by Fake Bake, “the most beautiful, flawless tan under the sun!” Organic skincare products by the Grapeseed Company will change your life. With no artificial additives, these dreamy body essentials include vitamin-rich cleansers, toners, moisturizers and oils to enhance your daily bathing ritual.

WHO IS GRACIE?
Gracie, the boutique, is the creation of Gail Sommer Germain, a lovely, high-energy diva. Gracie’s classic black and white polka dots lure you into Gail’s fabulous imagination. “Gracie is the woman I want to be–fabulous, a little risqué, a bit wild,” Gail says with her beautiful smile. “She’s feminine, strong, brave and beautiful. She knows what she likes. Always up for adventure. At the same time, she takes care of herself, indulging her need for pampering and peacefulness.”

With business manager and best friend, Debi Musgrave, in hand, along with Debi’s husband, Ted, the transformation of an empty storefront into a fabulous boutique began in 2010. Ted created most of their displays, including the bright pink claw-foot bathtub and matching sink, brimming with bath goodies. “Everything in the store is for sale,” Gail says. “If someone wants the tub and sink, great! Our collection of fabulous interior items–art prints, furniture, bedding, linens, pillows, framed photos–are fun and make spectacular gifts.”

When Gail and her family settled in Statesville three years ago, she was looking for a place with homegrown values–a comfortable life style. Gail and her husband, Bob Germain, Jr., bought an elegant house in the middle of Statesville. She calls it GracieLand. It came with its own dance hall and disco ball! Needless to say, Gail incorporated that bit of nostalgia into the retro style of the house.

Gail’s family includes their two children: 15-year-old daughter, Sydney, her biggest critic and adamant supporter, and 11-year-old son, Robbie, her best salesman. “When Robbie looks at you with his big brown eyes and tells you how great you look, he’s cinched a sale!” Gail laughed. She laughs a lot. Life with a NASCAR team owner-husband (think Brendan Goughan, Todd Bodine, Casey Mears, Max Papis) is not dull. In their new digs, Gail renovated the barn with mirrors, artwork, and dress up clothes, then moved in Kate, their mule and Bubba, their seven-year-old horse. “I want a lifestyle that’s fun, fulfilling and exciting. I need to be surrounded by beautiful things and inspiring women. Being involved with my community and being challenged is very important,” Gail says. “I’ve met so many people who love Statesville, and I’m excited to offer something new and different. Mayor Kutteh is a big fan. He’s introduced his wife and daughters to Gracie. John Barnard is my landlord, and we’re just about breaking even with the rent and his wife’s and daughters’ purchases!”

Gail is impressed with the Downtown Statesville Development Corporation and Marin Tomlin’s impact on the downtown area. Gail is involved with several local organizations, such as Purple Heart Homes, 5th Street Ministries, the YMCA, Boys and Girls Club and the Chamber of Commerce.

SPECIAL GIFTS FOR SPECIAL WOMEN
“Le Gift Room,” (to your left as you enter) is so full of fabulous girlfriend gifts that it’s hard to describe everything. I loved the CandiLicious fabulously fragrant candles and the custom-painted wine glasses. Bad Girl Art by Lolly Lu, and Lucky Street Gallery bachelorette gifts make you smile. Who doesn’t need an edgy flask and sassy “personals” case embellished with girlfriend humor? If you’re looking for absolutely unique essentials, ask to see the line of Miss Oops problem solvers (breast enhancers, mishap tape, rescue sponge for spots and stains), Jaks (just say no to cracks) and the Boob Tube, a short-but-sweet cami-like tube top to wear under low-cut styles. Fabulous, discreet overnight totes with every necessity for your trip home after a long night–“Don’t do the walk of shame–do the stride of pride!”–are a must.

When you visit, bring a friend–male or female. The guys are making their way to Gracie, too, selecting perfect gifts for fabulous women in their lives. Particularly enjoyable is Men & Martini night, just sit back and let the girls at Gracie help you find the perfect gift; it’s a no-brainer. Guys, you just have to visit Gracie and feel the love.

FOR WOMEN, GIRLS AND BABIES, TOO
“Our customers tend to laugh all the while they’re shopping,” Kim Sharpe, executive sales associate, told me, pointing out little signs of memorable advice hanging all through the store and Dimrs, adhesive-free nipple covers for under your sheerest tees. Little girls, and the grandmas who love them, rave over sweet outfits, shoes, and accessories–Ruffle-Butts for size 0 - 3T, Elegant Baby and Haute Baby, adorable fashions fitting newborns to toddlers and Lelli Kelly’s sparkly designer Mary Janes and tennis shoes. For fashionable girls’ shoes, pick out dress ups, boots, espadrilles, Ralph Lauren’s driving shoes for infants–there’s an amazing selection that’s all too fun.

Can you tell? “Fabulous” is Gail’s favorite expression. There’s a perfectly good reason for that–fabulous Gracie!

Gracie’s Boutique
140 N. Center Street
Statesville, NC 28625.
704-872-6100
gracieboutique@aol.com.
www.allgracie.com

Monday - Friday: 10am - 6pm
Saturday: 10am - 2pm