A drop in temperature led to a rise in sales at clothing boutiques throughout Lackawanna and Luzerne counties in the past few weeks.
Kim Evans, owner of TheKimmy in Olyphant, noted shopping patterns in the region are often dictated by the climate.
“As soon as the weather turns, people in Northeast Pennsylvania are ready to put their money into their fall wardrobe,” she said. “We’re very weather-driven in this market. The weather is a little crisper, and of course, the foliage is turning, so people are a little more eager.”
Evans also expects a shorter-than-usual fall shopping season due to a late start and an earlier and earlier shift to holiday attire.
“We had a rather warm September and then, as soon as we turn off our porch lights on (Halloween), we are flipping to the Christmas season,” she said.
However, for the time being, camouflage is back, and balloon-bottom pants, which haven’t been in demand since the ’80s, are popular in the young contemporary market, Evans said.
Evans — who opened the shop at 203 E. Lackawanna Ave. in January 2020 — feels fortunate to have great support from the community.
“We’ve been very blessed that our growth has been a steady climb every month,” she said. “I started as an e-commerce retailer and I trended the opposite way. We are no longer doing e-commerce, we’re fully brick-and-mortar, which is contrary to most apparel trends. People are coming back to Main Street America. Mall revenues are declining, yet the boutique sector of the market is increasing.”
Sales among clothing and accessories stores across the county were down just more than 1% month over month in September, seasonally adjusted, but up 7.35% year over year, unadjusted, according to the CNBC/National Retail Federation Retail Monitor, which uses credit and debit card purchase data compiled by Affinity Solutions.
Kim Evans, owner of TheKimmy on E Lackawanna Avenue in Olyphant, shows off some of the popular fall fashions. (CHAD SEBRING/STAFF PHOTO)
Fall apparel featuring rich colors and cozy fabrics available for purchase at Natalie Grace Boutique in Pittston. (Courtesy Natalie Grace Boutique)
Fall apparel for sale at Natalie Grace Boutique in downtown Pittston. (Courtesy Natalie Grace Boutique)
Kim Evans, owner of TheKimmy on E Lackawanna Avenue in Olyphant, shows off some of the popular fall fashions. (CHAD SEBRING/STAFF PHOTO)
Kim Evans, owner of TheKimmy on E Lackawanna Avenue in Olyphant, shows off some of the popular fall fashions. (CHAD SEBRING/STAFF PHOTO)
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Kim Evans, owner of TheKimmy on E Lackawanna Avenue in Olyphant, shows off some of the popular fall fashions. (CHAD SEBRING/STAFF PHOTO)
In addition to rich colors like chocolate brown and wine, Natalie Ferretti, owner of Natalie Grace Boutique in Pittston, which opened in August, notices customers seeking high-quality clothing.
“People are looking for good investment pieces that they’re going to have year after year, instead of something they can purchase off Amazon, Temu, or any of those websites,” she said.
Ferretti believes the ability to try on clothes gives local boutiques an advantage over online retailers.
“There is definitely value in being able to go into a dressing room to see what fits,” she said.
Ferretti also strives to help shoppers get the most use out of their purchases by suggesting ways to incorporate pieces into several different outfits.
“We run posts on our social media pages starting with one clothing base, and how to wear it at least three different ways,” she said. “We know with the economy and everything right now, people aren’t looking to spend a fortune on clothes. If we can give them multiple ways to wear the same pieces, that’s very helpful.”
Ferretti enjoyed supporting fellow businesses like AH Baby Co. and Showroom 56, and felt her boutique at 48 S. Main St., Suite 100, would complement the existing shops in the downtown.
“I thought my store is different and it would add to what’s already here, giving people a better opportunity to park their car, walk around Pittston, have lunch and have a variety of places to shop,” she said.
The community’s response during her first two months in business has been even better than she could have imagined, Ferretti said.
“We’ve been overwhelmed by the amount of people who have been walking through the doors and supporting our small business,” she said. “It’s blown away any expectation I had, and if it’s any indication of how things are going to go here, we should have a bright future in Pittston.”
Ferretti echoed Evans’ sentiment that customers tend to purchase clothing that aligns with each season.
“As the weather has started to get a little chillier, people are ready to start wearing sweaters and light coats, and are looking to get some new denim in their wardrobe,” she said.
Originally Published: October 19, 2025 at 12:00 AM EDT