Photograph by Kevin A. Roberts
Athena Boutique (10433 Clayton, 314-993-5500) looks more like a cozy living room than the typical shop, with its welcoming fire and beautifully tiled floor. Located in Frontenac Grove Place, the boutique sells women’s fashions from $40 to $750 imported from Greece—labels like Parthenis, Lussile, and Celia D. Co-owner Lisa McKinney recently shared why she brought a piece of Athens to St. Louis shoppers.
Where did the boutique’s inspiration come from?
I had been going to Greece for years with my father and noticed how women there have a great body image no matter what size they are... They seem to be comfortable whether they are dressed up or down; it’s no-stress dressing. I really wanted to bring this to the States.
How did you go about selecting what to carry?
I researched designers in Greece and went over to meet them in their showrooms… I don’t buy large quantities because these pieces aren’t mass-produced; I might buy two or three of a certain style and that’s it—there’s no reordering because the designers deliver one order per season.
How do the Greek designers differ?
They’re more concerned with making women comfortable at an affordable price. There’s a laid-back attitude. There is little lost in translation; when I call the company, I speak directly with the designer, and if I’d like adjustments made on an item, they are happy to do so.
Was the retail world always a passion of yours?
I raised two boys, and I always wanted to get into retail, but wasn’t sure how to do it. St. Louis has plenty of boutiques, and I didn’t want to go to the same markets as other stores; I found a different niche with Greek designs. From conception to reality, it took 12 months and a lot of help from my family to open the boutique.
