Paisley Palace offers unique selection

WASILLA -- The atmosphere is calm; there is incense burning behind the counter and a couch in the corner next to a sewing machine.

Music plays softly in the background, and a small-framed woman laughs with a friend who has stopped by. And though the woman makes you feel like you have welcomed you into her living room, she has really welcomed you into someplace else: Her new boutique, The Paisley Palace.

"I'm thinking about putting in a tea urn and some books for people to read," said Haley Hirsch, who opened the shop in late April. "I want people to feel comfortable in this shop."

It's hard not to, as Hirsch herself has a way with her customers that puts them at ease.

A couple walks in with their baby and Hirsch offers her services to them, but doesn't push as they wander through the hemp dresses and organic clay-dyed T-shirts. They wander toward the incense -- she has quite a collection -- and leave with a small purchase of sandalwood and jasmine. She rings them up with a genuine smile, and they tell her how much they love the little store.

"The people who have come in have been so positive," said Hirsch after they leave. "I try to keep things as reasonable as possible … people seem to be drawn to that."

Hirsch has a small but wide-range collection of import clothing, targeting those who wish to have a little spunk in their wardrobe, regardless if they are 15 or 45. Her collection, which ranges from flowing dresses and drawstring pants to vintage T-shirts and handmade tops, expresses Hirsch's own love of clothing.

"I've always really been into clothes," said Hirsch. "I figured I'd turn it into something besides just packing them into my closet."

Hirsch, who worked at an import boutique for five years, dreams of expanding her shop.

She hopes to someday bring in massage therapists and a place for people to practice yoga, tai chi and belly dancing. She plans on selling artwork on consignment sometime this summer, and is open to other forms of consignment if it fits in with her shop's theme.

The prices in the store are reasonable.

Vintage dresses run from $15 to $20, and the import clothing range anywhere from $15 tops to $95 handmade dresses from Singapore. She finds some of her clothing on E-Bay, has collected some herself, and has found a number of clothing companies through Web research and her contacts made while working at another store. One of her favorite brands is Sweet Grass Natural Fibers, clothing made of high-quality hemp that Hirsch swears gets even softer with each wash. She has kids' clothing from a company called Shop Therapy, and is excited about her plus-size clothing line, Big on Bitik. Hirsch also sells her own handmade clothing, which she works on when the store is slow, and will have vintage pillow case skirts available next week. While Hirsch is targeting anyone interested in import clothing, she hopes that her shop will become an outlet for young people looking for expressive clothing.

"I give them an option besides Gottschalks and Fred Meyers," said Hirsch. "I can offer unique things and a pleasant atmosphere. The aura of this shop is very friendly, peaceful and comfortable."

As her store grows, Hirsch is confident that she will be able to provide a relaxed atmosphere for people to gather and shop.

An exciting addition to her collection will be clothing and trinkets brought back from Budapest by some friends traveling there. Many import shops collect things from the market places in foreign countries, but Hirsch's friends have promised to travel into the villages to collect clothing for her, so that she can continue to sell clothing that no other store offers.

"I wanted to offer something unique to the Valley," said Hirsch.

The Paisley Palace is located at 224 N. Yenlo St. in Wasilla, behind the Blockbuster at Carrs in a gray strip mall next to the Meta Rose Square. The store is open Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.