Classy, sassy and brassy, there is something fun for everyone at Smart Alic Accessories boutique. With a rockabilly sensibility, Valerie Rodenborn and her daughter, Aimee Maloney, have incorporated a truly unique assortment of accessories and fun clothing into their rockabilly-themed boutique. “We both wanted to do something… something fun,” notes Rodenborn. “We had been going and doing car shows, and we thought it would be fun to incorporate car shows and festivals with our work.” For years, they have been selling their unique products every place from car shows to private wedding showers, and now Smart Alic has its own home in Lodi.
Merchandise at Smart Alic is a bit more edgy and more than just accessories. They carry basic jewelry, clothing, shoes, purses, belts and hair items. Clothing lines are rockabilly, retro, pin-up, and 40’s and 50’s-inspired clothing. A lot of the manufacturers are here in the United States, too. Some of the major brands at the boutique are Sourpuss, Rock Steady, Folter, Too Fast, Retrolicious and some Betsey Johnson. Additionally, Smart Alic carries Splendid Sparrow Designs hand-made silver rings and necklaces. Splendid Sparrow Designs jewelry was most recently featured at The Golden Globes. Smart Alic also incorporates items from some exciting and cutting-edge local designers. The store features artists like the special ladies who make unique head bandanas and ornately decorated flasks. There is also an artist who makes aprons and another who makes purses. Local artisans are brought into the mix at Smart Alic to resell their own goods at the store.
“Our clothing line is really quite varied,” Maloney explains. “It can be maybe a little punk, maybe a little classic 50’s. We carry XS up to size 3-4X in our clothing line. We try to have something for everyone. We have stuff for kids like sunglasses and little necklaces. We also have stuff for men; rings, bracelets, necklaces and a t-shirt line that we carry.” Rodenborn and Maloney love to get out and hit the markets to find those special items that will compliment the Smart Alic look. They typically go out a few times each year, and they’ll travel next week to Las Vegas. Sometimes they are looking for certain things, like specific items that are being requested by their customers. But, most of the time, they go by a gut feeling that if they like something, then someone else is going to like it, too. The gals at Smart Alic go through about 60 distributors for their items, so shoppers will always find something new, unique and interesting.
Smart Alic loves to hold special events. Just recently, they participated in the local Wine and Chocolate event, and when there are special events in the area, the boutique is open. They also have specials on Facebook (check-in for updates) and have an e-mail they send out that often includes a coupon. A lot of times it’s a buy-one, get-one for three days and then three days of 25% off of any purchase.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Smart Alic Accessories
5 W. Pine St.
Lodi, (209) 224-8157
smartalic.com