Merchant Monday

Tough economic times call for businesses to come up with creative solutions. For Nanette Toland and Karen Rezzelle Holmes, their solution was to join forces.

Toland opened Nono's Home Decor in the Clear Creek Plaza in 2006, at the same time as Trader Joe's.

A year ago, Holmes was operating a clothing boutique called Cowboys and Angels in Genoa, but was looking for a better location.

One day she walked into Nono's and asked how business was in that space.

"I didn't know her, and she was thinking of finding a location nearby, and I said, 'why don't we share a location?'" Toland said. "And she moved right in."

The first step was a new name.

"I didn't want the 'Cowboys' to follow me, because so many people thought it was for cowboys," Holmes said. "So we were sitting around at dinner one night and came up with the name It's All About Me Fine Clothing."

Last week, the pair celebrated one year of the collaboration, and they couldn't be happier.

"It's been fabulous," Toland said. "We have such a good mix here. Our customers like it a lot. The ladies love it, and men like it because they can come in and get a gift for their wife or a gift certificate. "

Home decor offerings range from small gift-type items to hand-painted Peruvian furniture pieces. One of Nono's best selling items is a faux candle, with a battery-powered LED light that looks like a flame, without the fire danger.

On the clothing side, the store carries a selection of unique items, from petite to plus sizes.

"You're not going to find most of this if you go to department stores," Holmes said. "A lot of our vendors are unique to boutiques, so you aren't going to see yourself walking around."

They also carry items like a stylish line of reading glasses, and a selection of faux furs simulating red fox, beaver and sable, with prices starting at $150.

One thing that sets the store apart from departments stores is personal attention.

"I get to know my customers," Holmes said. "I get to know their sizes, and if there are things that they like or I know they will like, I'll call them when I get them in. That's the idea of a boutique, it's a little more personal. If someone needs something and I don't have the size, I will try to get it for them."

The store hosts a regular "girl's night out" event, where customers get together for champagne and appetizers, with specials on store items. The last one featured chair massages from Massage Envy.

"We do things our clientele will appreciate and enjoy," Toland said. "They really like it. The last one was really great. We got about 10 new customers."

One of the advantages of their partnership is they can split the work of manning the store six days a week.

"It works out really great," Toland said. "We each get vacations. We both are loving it. It's a wonderful, wonderful relationship."