Be A Pioneer

May 10, 2010

Traveling along Interstate 40 from Sedona to Albuquerque, we stopped in the tiny town of Winslow, Arizona for breakfast. Dry, barren of vegetation and slightly depressed, this enclave was located off the highway on the old Route 66, once known as the Main Street of America. Void of traffic, the town seemed deprived of opportunity and store fronts were vacant. It struck me how the super highway that had been built to ease my journey from Arizona to New Mexico had obliterated an American Icon, once bustling with business and entrepreneurial spirit. This message was driven home in Cantinas in Los Cabos where I met relocated Americans, in Flagstaff while chatting with the manager at the Weatherford Hotel, in Taos at a B&B breakfast table where I was joined by travellers from Minnesota, in a Santa Fe Art Gallery where the owner lamented on the loss of the individual “mom and pop” stores that once defined America. My personal desire to support the survival of the specialty store business and subsequently the pioneer spirit that once made shopping a creative adventure was reinforced with these exchanges.

Driven by this message, I thought that this might be a great opportunity for me to tell you about Miel Sisters Intimates, a Canadian brand that I recently uncovered in my constant pursuit of new ideas. Concise and focused, the entire underwear line is presented in this clever countertop display. These sexy, soft, seamless panties are constructed in a microfiber spandex and cotton fabric with built in anti-microbial protection from odors and stains. Miel Sisters is new to the US market, but their clever marketing approach promises a product that is unique to a boutique venue. The cookie cutter mentality does not have to be our retail destiny. A well merchandised boutique can make a personal statement that a large chain cannot. All one needs to do is find unique product and present it in an innovative way.

“Come get your kicks on Route 66”