You can go on a shopping spree at an outlet or department store, but boutique owner Thomas Belardino said you won’t find any of his clothing there.
Belardino described his men and women’s boutique, CB Clothing Co., as a little more upscale and trendy, featuring fashions from California, Canada and Italy. But even with the trendy and contemporary designs, he wants to offer a variety of styles for a variety of ages.
“I really am trying to cater to everyone, which is tough in a boutique type of atmosphere. But it’s working out well,” he said.
The small boutique does have a selection of different clothing styles, as well as perfume, accessories and handbags — and Belardino said he will eventually have some shoes “down the road.”
Some of the clothing lines featured are men’s Italian lines by Jhane Barnes and Luchiano Visconti, and women’s Canadian lines by Joseph Ribkoff and Alberto Makali.
Belardino has been pursuing his love of fashion since his high school graduation, when he immediately began working with Richard Cox, owner of The Clothing Company in Hamilton.
“I always had the fashion mind, the fashion ideas, and it always intrigued me,” said the owner. “I learned from the ground up basically. He showed me where to buy, the trends and the styles; he pretty much taught me everything I knew.”
Belardino moved to Robbinsville after growing up in Chambersburg. After spending 17 years in the local atmosphere, he decided to start his business there too, which opened its doors to the public in April.
“I know a lot of local people, and I have a lot of local businesses and friends in the area,” the owner said. “I’m happy with the location and the clientele, and I’m just going forward.”
To Belardino, an important part of business is establishing a great rapport with the customers, and his number one way to do that is to make sure his customers are happy.
“I’ve always been in retail. Retail is my life,” he said. “I put the customers first, and I always try to make sure they were happy with the service.”
He even provides free espresso and coffee, and on Saturdays, invites guests to enjoy bagels and donuts as part of a relaxed, no-pressure atmosphere.
Since his location does not have too much walking traffic, most of the customers come to the store as a result of referrals from friends, family and other customers, Belardino said.
“I think the one-on-one customer service is what attracts people to boutique stores, and because they already, somewhat, expect in their mind that it’s going to be different than other stores,” Belardino said. “I tried to make it as comfortable and welcoming as possible for them.”
You can find Belardino in the store every day, six days a week, or even schedule an appointment to come in and shop outside of store hours. And with any purchase in the store, tailoring service is provided at no charge.
“I want people to come in and just appreciate what I’ve put together here,” Belardino said. “It’s just totally been constructed from the ground up.”
CB Clothing Co. is located at 1240 Route 130 South in Bottoni Plaza in Robbinsville, and is open on Monday and Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Wednesday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call the store at (609) 931-0808 or go online to cbclothingcompany.com.
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