STORE AROUND THE CORNER: Influence

Influence boutique hasn’t even been open three full weeks, but the clothes are already flying off the racks.

Sisters Liz and Sam Murray and their close friend, Jenny Dent, opened Influence clothing boutique on St. Armands Circle on Feb. 28. The response from both locals and tourists has far exceeded their expectations.

“Our customers have loved the trends that we’ve brought in,” says Liz Murray, who worked as a stylist in Los Angeles after receiving a degree in fashion merchandising from The International Academy of Design & Technology, in Tampa. “We have a lot of contemporary and trendy looks, but there’s a little something for everybody.”

The boutique mixes high-end lines, including Madison Marcus, Rebecca Taylor and Plenty by Tracy Reese, with more affordable brands such as BB Dakota and Free People.

The owners have even accommodated the needs of the most reluctant shopping partners. There is a lounge area in the back of the store, complete with comfy couches and a flatscreen TV, designed specifically for boyfriends and husbands to hang out in while letting their significant others shop.

Customer service is the store’s No. 1 priority, according to Sam Murray.

“We want customers to feel comfortable, be able to ask questions and have a relaxing experience when they come here,” says Sam Murray.

BASICS
Influence
Location: 474 John Ringling Blvd., St. Armands Circle
Hours: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Saturday; noon to 6 p.m. Sunday
Products: Clothing, accessories and sunglasses by Dita and Sabre
Employees: Three. Liz Murray and Jenny Dent have degrees in fashion merchandising and fashion design, and Sam Murray is a bonafide fashionista. Expert fashion advice is always available.
Established: Opened Feb. 28, 2010
Most popular brands: Joie, Dolce Vita and T by Los Angeles