Bliss Signs Lease to Open Popular Clothing Boutique in Storrs Center
Kim Cash sees a bright future for her second boutique shop that will open this year in Storrs Center. “Storrs is becoming a destination for people,” she explained. “When I was a student at UConn, we had to travel to go shopping. But all that is changing now that Storrs Center is here, and I want to be part of the excitement.” Kim will open Bliss, a unique, second-hand clothing store for women and men this fall. The boutique will offer a wide variety of quality clothing and accessories in excellent condition and at very low prices.
Bliss is the second boutique for Kim. She opened the popular Bliss Boutique in Willimantic in 2013. Since then, the boutique has been a CTNOW Best of Hartford Readers’ Poll winner for two years in a row, winning “Best Thrift Shop in Connecticut,” “Best Local Clothing Shop,” “Best Clothing Shop for Women” and “Best Clothing Shop for Men.” The shop is known for its ambiance, Bohemian flair, uniqueness, and low prices. “I want Bliss to be a great shopping experience and a good bargain, and who doesn’t like that?” Indeed, when Kim began seeing an influx of students from both Eastern Connecticut State University and UConn to her Willimantic location, she knew her boutique was meeting a need for attractive, well-priced clothing.
Kim’s journey as a clothing retailer followed a previous career as a midwife. A single mother with three kids, Kim began shopping at second hand stores to clothe her family inexpensively, especially with college on the horizon. “I loved the experience of finding really wonderful clothes for me and my kids at affordable prices,” she said. “What started out as a need became a hobby that I loved, so I took the leap to open my first boutique in Willimantic. It’s been great!” Kim did her homework first, conducting market research, writing a business plan, and obtaining financing. The store has been a success, so Kim is looking forward to expanding in Storrs.
“We are excited about the energy and flair that Bliss will bring to Storrs Center,” said Howard Kaufman, Chief Executive Officer of LeylandAlliance LLC, master developer of Storrs Center. “We think Bliss is a good match for Storrs Center and will bring a fun and desirable shopping experience to the neighborhood.”
Bliss will be located at 34 Wilbur Cross Way in Storrs Center. The building is currently under construction and Bliss is expected to open in late summer or early fall.