Clutch Boutique

Just when you’ve thought all the good boutique concepts have been snatched up, think again. The TC’s terribly underserved women’s handbag market has a new friend in Lori Cheadle and her chic shop, Clutch Boutique (5005 France Ave. S., Mpls., 612-455-0606). Cheadle recognized that fashionistas who prefer shopping in a boutique for their apparel were lacking a local equivalent when it comes to shopping for a grip.

Sure there’s Coach, Cole-Haan, and the new Louis Vuitton shop, as well as exclusive designers (Fendi, Marc Jacobs, Chanel, Kate Spade, and Prada) at the department stores—but what’s a girl to do when she wants a bag as distinct as her wardrobe?

The airy space at Clutch lets the merchandise breathe. To date, Cheadle has lined the shelves with about a dozen designer handbag lines—many in the $200 to $500 range. Cheadle personally searches for good quality, high style, and lines that are hard to find locally, including Billy Bag (Billy Bag is to the UK what Coach is to the US, and is sold at Harrod’s) as well as Hayden-Harnett from Brooklyn. Focusing on mostly smaller vendors, Clutch only stocks two to four of each bag—another important selling point for style-conscious women on the lookout for unique everyday bags. She plans to keep her focus on handbags and clutches, of course, but she will also offer limited outerwear for spring from Scarlet Design and T. S. Dixin.

Grab your wallet and head those heels to Clutch Boutique—we’re told spring arrivals are starting to trickle in.