Women looking for plus-sized clothing with style have a new store to shop at on the Route 44 corridor in Avon.
Lane Bryant opened its doors in Nod Brook Mall on Friday.
“We’re so happy there’s a store we can go to when you need something quick,” said Canton resident MaryAnn ReMillard on opening day. “I love all the different styles they have for plus-size women and it fits comfortably.”
The Lane Bryant brand has been around for more than a century and is now owned by Ascena.
"It’s a fashion forward business for the plus-size woman,” Karen Aranda, Lane Bryant district manager for New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.
She said it’s important to have fashionable options for women’s clothing “regardless of what size you are.” The store carries sizes 14 to 28, including dress, shirt, pants, jackets and the popular Cacique bra line. Boots, ballet flats, scarves and hats are also on the shelves. One of the designer lines is a continuation of Seven for plus-sized women called Seven-7.
Depending on the item, prices range from $14.99 to around $200 for coats.
Store manager Jacqueline Vigue comes to Lane Bryant after 19 years with former sister company Fashion Bug, which has since closed.
“I’ve helped dress plus women for 20 years already,” she said.
Vigue and Aranda said they are excited to open the new store.
“It’s a fabulous area,” Aranda said.
In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Lane Bryant is participating in the Making Strides fundraiser through Oct. 31, asking customers just a few cents to round up their payment at the register.
“Everyone is so receptive to that,” Vigue said. “I very rarely get a no.”
The first 50 customers in the store got $25 gift cards.
Amanda Dingle came all the way from Naugatuck, a good hour drive, to the new store to shop for an outfit to wear for a wedding. She used to go to the one in Meriden before it closed.
“We did make a little bit of a drive, but it’s worth it,” Dingle said. “Good deals and good clothes.”
Luckily for Sarah Heslop, the drive from Hartford for her isn’t as far.
“They have a variety of things,” she said. “I’m happy to be BBW (big beautiful woman). That’s what I call myself because I’m a big woman. That’s why I shop at Lane Bryant. The styling is appropriate for all ages.”
Lane Bryant is open Mondays to Saturdays from 10 am. to 9 p.m. and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays. It’s located at 315 West Main St. You can reach the store by phone at 860-676-0620.
