Dispatches: Posh Accessories Adds High-End Glam to Mission Street

It’s hard for any business to survive in these tough economic times. In an economic climate that causes former shopaholics to pinch their pennies, three new luxury stores are opening their doors on Mission Street in San Marino.

Patch will be profiling all of these new businesses in the coming weeks in a "Mission Street Revival" Dispatches series.

After a successful seven year run in , Ani Guluzian opened a second Posh Accessories boutique on San Marino’s Mission Street in late August.

“I always wanted to expand my business but in some ways this second location was unexpected,” said Guluzian. “A friend of mine suggested this area and I came and looked at this open space. Before I knew it, I was signing away.”

While it is too soon for Guluzian to tell if San Marino is immune to the effects of the economic downturn, the boutique owner states that business has taken a financial hit.

“Business definitely has been affected in several ways,” said Guluzian. “We have to change how we do business and how I buy for the store. People are not spending like they used to so we are buying accordingly and making any other necessary changes.”

With less to spare in her customers’ pocketbooks, Guluzian purchases less merchandise and buys more reasonably priced items for her boutiques. Her La Cañada storefront has also featured more sales and promotions.

“I opened the second location to be more successful and better my store,” said Guluzian. “You have to take chances otherwise you never know.”

While the San Marino location has only been open for a month and a half, Guluzian has already noticed one key difference in the two luxury boutiques.

“So far business had been good. The La Cañada location is more of a destination store, so our customers there come directly to us,” said Guluzian. “In San Marino we have a lot more foot traffic so we get a lot more customers trickling in after they discover we’re here.”

Guluzian is no stranger to the upscale retail atmosphere. At the age of 17, the future businesswoman was already working as a buyer for a luxury optical boutique in Georgetown, Washington, D.C.

She continued to work in Georgetown as an optician for 10 years before traveling across the country to open her own high-end accessory boutique in California.

“There are a few clothing lines I sell in La Cañada that I don’t sell here,” said Guluzian. “We have added new clothing lines here to see how the new client base will respond.”

Despite her store’s glamorous feel, Guluzian stays humble by staying involved in all aspects of her business.

“I love it all,” said Guluzian. “I do the buying, selling, manage the books and I even take out the trash. I know and greet all my customers by name.”

Where does she see her business in five years? For Guluzian, the answer is simple math.

“Hopefully, I’ll have five more boutiques,” Guluzian said.

This is one of a continuing series chronicling how we are dealing with the economic crisis. Tell us what issues and what stories in San Marino Patch go to the heart of your American Dream. Please contact editor Jessica Hamlin at Jessica.hamlin@patch.com.

Have you shopped at Posh Accessories in San Marino? How have you cut back during the tough economy? Tell us in the comment box below.