STORE AROUND THE CORNER: Lilly Pulitzer

Lilly Pulitzer is an all-American brand started by a woman who was ahead of the times in a male-dominated business world. She was also ahead of the times in picking the best locations for selling resort wear.

The Lilly Pulitzer store on St. Armands Circle opened July 2005, but it wasn’t the first Sarasota store with the famous designer’s name. Pulitzer herself owned a store on the Circle in the ‘70s and early ‘80s. It carried ladies, men’s and kids clothing as well as yards of fabric — she was known for wrapping Lilly fabric around the palm tree outside.

The newest, more modern Lilly Pulitzer store is a colorful beacon to all loyal Lilly lovers. The store, managed by Shannon Moulton, sells resort clothing featuring one-of-a-kind prints (the name “Lilly” is hidden in every print).

“The store is a fun but laid back environment,” Moulton said. “We want the customer to feel that they can relax and have a good time in the store.”

Moulton, who graduated of Florida State University with a degree in fashion merchandising, reports the store’s clientele is multi-generational.

“Families come into the store where the grandmother wore Lilly, she dressed her family in it and so does her daughter,” she said. “We have snowbirds, tourists and locals that shop in our store.”

Contact Stephanie Hannum at [email protected].

BASICS
Lilly Pulitzer
Manager: Shannon Moulton
Address: 443 John Ringling Blvd., Sarasota
Phone: 388-3091
Summer hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday; and noon to 6 p.m., Sunday. (Fourth of July weekend: Lilly Pulitzer is open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday; and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday).
Line of business: Resort clothing and accessories
Employees: Eight
Website: www.lillypulitzer.com
What makes the business unique: Lilly Pulitzer sells resort clothing that is not duplicated in any other brand. Its prints are one-of-a-kind and the name “Lilly” is hidden in every print.