Spotlight: Peachepot Boutique

Peachepot Boutique, located in Highland Park, proves that Rutgers fashion can be found beyond George Street.

Specializing in women's vintage and new clothing, the boutique opened in 2008 and is housed in a quaint first-floor flat on Raritan Avenue. The notably small space comprises of wall-to-wall garments hand-picked by owner Nora Weinberg, a University alumna.

"I wanted there to be cheap, moderate, and then more expensive stuff because I feel like that's how people have their wardrobe set up," Weinberg explained.

After passing the boutique's handcrafted front desk and a multi-tiered shelf holding various T-shirts, customers enter a chandeliered main room. Blouses, jackets, tank tops and skirts mingle together on the racks outlining the room.

Weinberg, who partially credits her knowledge of business to her five-year work experience at a local Highland Park gift store, considered organizing her merchandise by designer or by style, but "in the end, color is the predominant thing with function," she stated.
A shelf boasting brand-name jeans occupies an entire wall, while next to it stands a rack of floor-length and cocktail dresses.

A variety of high heels — both vintage and new — are placed on shelves around the boutique. Colorful bags and leather purses hang from the ends of racks circling the room, while shelves by the front desk display vintage, new and consignment jewelry.

"I try never to get more than three of each [item], so that it's not saturating and everyone's wearing the same thing," Weinberg said.

In addition to offering the items she has in stock, Weinberg also processes special orders for customers looking for specific pieces.

Peachepot's medley of clothes and accessories cater to the tastes of young women across Highland Park and New Brunswick. Her popularity has risen among high school students, who shop for the store's bargain-priced vintage, which sells at about $20, with some dresses running between $30 and $40.

"I feel like this month, I've had a lot of happy customers," Weinberg said. She is attempting to reach out to the University community by posting fliers, handing out coupons and giving University students a 20 percent discount on purchases.

Weinberg has allowed student-run organizations to use Peachepot's clothes for fundraising events such as date auctions and fashion shows. She is particularly interested in extending her merchandise to sororities who are hosting such events.

"I don't need to make anything off the experience," she explained. "It does something for me, it does something for them, and they don't have to pay to get clothes anywhere."

Weinberg also stresses the importance of small boutiques located in the University area.

"There's a huge Rutgers population, and there's almost nothing for girls to shop at without going to the mall," she said.

In the future, Weinberg would like to sell men's clothing as well as local designers. She is planning on carrying a T-shirt line based on her own designs.

More information on Peachepot and photos of the boutique's clothing can be found at www.facebook.com/peachepot.