A new woman’s clothing boutique, run by a young Saratoga Springs businesswoman, has opened its doors at 10 Phila Street downtown.

Alex Potter, 23, co-owns the store with her mother, Kitty, a Saratoga County native. Kitty Potter now lives near Springfield, Massachusetts, while Alex lives right over the store.

The boutique features trendy, modern garments by brands comprising Ark and Company, Entro, Gracia and Wow Couture, in such colors as vivid green and tangerine. Shoppers can find dressy and casual clothes ranging from eveningwear to artsy long-sleeved T-shirts. There are also dresses, skirts, tops and palazzo pants, as well as a couple of sweaters just in case a breath of winter air lingers. Sissi offers accessories as well: jewelry and purses. The co-owners have stocked something for every woman.

Alex said, “I’ve been a clotheshorse all my life, and so has my mom. We talked about opening a boutique for a while, and now the time, the place and the funding all came together.”

She added, “I feel I have a broad sense of style personally, and when I buy, I try to keep in mind women of different ages and style preferences.”

“Our slogan is: ‘Life’s too short to wear boring clothes,’” said Kitty Potter. “We want to stock nice, fashionable clothes. And no matter your income, you should be able to find original, fun, comfortable clothing.”

The mother and the daughter said they have a lot of options, but want to avoid vendors who are either overly expensive or who produce cheap clothing.

“I’ve seen $100 sweatpants for sale on Broadway,” Alex said. “What are they, magic sweatpants?”

The wares at Sissi all cost less than $100, with most items priced at $30 to $50.

She and Kitty have solid backgrounds for managing a boutique. Alex majored in business and accounting at Wooster College, and Kitty most recently worked as a project manager for nonprofits.

Alex has also spent much time working on and around Phila Street as a bar manager, bartender and cocktail waitress at Sperry’s Restaurant, and at Peabody’s Sports Bar and Grill. She seems to have been bartending since age 16, she said, laughing. She also did all Sissi’s interior design, which currently includes a window mannequin dressed in a gown of yellow paper butterflies, to call in springtime, Alex said.

Down the road, the co-owners would like to enlarge the store, and carry foundation garments, hats and cosmetics.

“Right now, we want to get the word out about our new boutique and build a loyal customer base,” Alex said. 

--Jennie