MADISON, Ala. (WHNT) — Shopping for clothes can be intimidating, but every great experience starts with a great atmosphere. Melinda Sanders, owner of Filthy Gorgeous on Main, knows that better than anyone.
“We just want to give you a great customer service experience when you come in and make you feel like a queen,” Sanders said. “Somebody waiting on you hand and foot. We don’t want you walking around with your arms full of hangers and clothes that weigh you down, because I want you to feel free to shop and pull pieces.”
Sanders got her inspiration for Filthy Gorgeous on a trip to Bali, Indonesia, with her mom. The boutique is filling a need that she discovered in the local fashion community.
“You’d go to the cute boutiques here, but they were mainly tailored towards younger girls, high school girls,” Sanders said. “You might find a piece every now and then where you feel lucky. So, I decided I was going to open a women’s boutique that could fit curvy girls such as myself, that was just tailored for women.”
At Filthy Gorgeous, every customer experience starts with old-school service.
“Sometimes they’re looking for therapy… retail therapy,” Sanders said. “So I break the ice, get them to start talking and then they kind of open up with what they’re really here for.”
After opening in August 2020, Sanders realized that working from home meant lounge wear would sell. However, now that women are back in the office, she says their merchandise has changed with the customers’ needs.
“Not all trends fit our area, because we’re not New York, Chicago, or LA,” Sanders said. “Our style is a little bit different. So what I try to do is realize what the ladies like, what they feel comfortable in and then I may add something that I think is my style to their wardrobe.”
Jahna Smith is new to the area and only a month into working at Filthy Gorgeous, but it’s that level of customer service that stood out to her in the first place.
“I fell in love with the shop,” Smith said. “I actually tried on a couple dresses, left with a shirt. Just the experience meeting Miss Melinda, it was amazing. I had to ask, ‘Are you hiring?’”
Smith got the job, of course, and says helping women feel gorgeous is her favorite part.
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