POULSBO — Downtown now has a taste of big city life under its belt in one of its newest stores, Moxie.
But owner Colleen Brennan said her wish to own what she calls an “updated boutique” in Little Norway was not for the reasons some might think.
Brennan said she opened Moxie not for visitors to Liberty Bay from nearby cities like Seattle and Bellevue, but for local women who travel away from North Kitsap and to these areas to shop for clothes.
“We want to get the local people to shop here more. We want them to know they can come here for things that are chic and unique,” Brennan commented. “The one thing I want women to know about Moxie is that they don’t have to shop at the malls, they can come here.”
Now in her third year owning Cotton Bay Clothing right next door to her new venture, Indianola resident Brennan said she found locals oohed and aahed over any “girlie” merchandise she’d bring into the casual store. She realized she’d hit on a need in North Kitsap that wasn’t filled by anything on this side of the Sound — fashion clothes and accessories.
Six months ago, Brennan heard that Twigs next door might be closing and she put her hat into the ring to occupy the space. Moxie opened June 7 and business has been buzzing ever since.
“The reaction is just incredible,” Brennan said. “I’ve had women come through and just literally say ‘Thank you. Thank you for opening a store like this.’”
The name Moxie, a word describing someone of particular spirit or energy, is a nod to Brennan’s late mother-in-law. Brennan said her husband’s mother was a former model who was always dressed to the nines and always full of a fiery energy. At the woman’s funeral, one of her friends stood up and remarked several times that she had moxie.
“I kept thinking, ‘What a neat word,’” Brennan recalled. “When I decided to open this new store I thought of that word and I thought it fit what I was trying to do.”
For these first summer months, Moxie carries a variety of rayon print dresses, capri pant sets, sunglasses, hats and other summery accessories like nostalgic purses and strapped sandals.
“I think the merchandise is just a little more hip, a step up in the fashion element,” Brennan commented. “You might even say it’s a younger look but we’re selling to women of all ages and they’re all really liking it.”
The store also carries items like fashion shoes, decorative home items, candles, soaps and lotions.
Throughout the year, Brennan said Moxie will include whimsical, unique clothing, accessories and gifts. She added that much of her merchandise will also likely be driven by suggestions from her customers on what they’d like to see in the store.
“We don’t want to be upscale so much that our prices are way out of range. I’m trying to shop for value and fun,” Brennan explained.
