Business Profile: La Bottine Boutique in Ocean City, New Jersey

If style is what you're all about, and you're ready to set aside the old and give yourself a treat, La Bottine Boutique in downtown Ocean City, New Jersey, is ready and waiting! La Bottine Boutique opened in July of 2006, and is owned and operated by Suzanne Matura. By the end of her first year, her business had already been named the "Outstanding New Business for 2006" by the Greater Ocean City Chamber of Commerce.

Suzanne had been a stay-at-home mom, but when her kids grew up and moved out she decided to get her real estate license and began working in a local office in Avalon, New Jersey. As fate would have it, the real estate market bottomed out about the same time a store on Asbury Avenue in Ocean City became available, and Suzanne had always wanted her own shoe store. The moment she saw the available shop she knew it was for her.

Filling the store with merchandise came easy, as she filled it with all the things she herself, loves to buy. It was coming up with the name, that was the hard part! It seemed that every name she came up with, someone had a reason she shouldn't use it. Finally her brother-in-law from France suggested "La Bottine", which means high button shoe. The name was perfect. Suzanne believes single-item stores are boring, so not only does she sell shoes, but also handbags, jewelry, art and antiques.

When designing the store she decided that she didn't want traditional racks or shelving units, so she began displaying everything on beautiful antiques. For each antique piece she sells, she feels a slight "pang", but soon loves finding that new piece to replace it.

Suzanne sells only those shoes that she herself would wear. There's Anne Klein, Bandolino, Franco Sarto and Naughty Monkey, to name a few. Her handbags, which range from casual everyday bags to glitzy evening bags, include Stone Mountain and Ralph Lauren. There are also many unique and beautiful handmade bags.

Suzanne loves searching for different designs, and most of the jewelry at La Bottine Boutique is handmade. Stainless steel jewelry by Barbara Silverstein, pearl jewelry by Catherine Canino and sea glass jewelry by Jessica Lee are just a few of the lines she carries, so there's something for everyone!

The newest line being featured is EK Designs Jewelry by Elizabeth Kissick. EK designs is a timeless and tasteful collection that reflects life's joyous moments. Started in 1992 as a fun hobby, EK Designs has since become a premier jewelry design firm. The entire collection is created with the finest precious metals, Austrian crystals, exclusive and hand-blown beads and custom designed bead frames. Many of their pieces symbolize the struggles and triumphs experienced through various afflictions, such as her "breast cancer milestone" or "AIDS awareness" bracelets. Proceeds from these pieces go to organizations that represent these diseases. EK Designs offers many many choices, such as family-themed, bridal, "mommy" or "just--for-fun" bracelets, and La Bottine Boutique is the only store in Cape May County that carries this line of jewelry! This holiday season, give that special someone a piece from EK to show how much you care!

La Bottine Boutique is located at 1033 Asbury Avenue in Ocean City, New Jersey. Call (609) 399-6400.