| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
| Press Release |
|
 |
|
Mother-daughter team to open Mary & Blanche! on Maryland Avenue
Annapolis, MD – Marian Rainford and her daughter,
Melissa Rainford, will make their dream a reality on
November 24th when Mary & Blanche! opens
at 78
Maryland Avenue. The pair had an idea for the shop
five years ago when they had trouble finding
different, playful cards and gifts. Now that Mary
&
Blanche! is approaching its launch, the Rainfords
anticipate the items within the gift boutique will be
as unique to shoppers as the store’s art deco
exterior is to historic Maryland Avenue.
Both women bring vast retail and entrepreneurial
acumen to Mary & Blanche!. Having over 20
years of
retail experience, Melissa has worked for a variety of
retailers—from individual stores to big box
corporations—as sales associate, merchadiser and
operations manager. She adds, “Multi-tasking as a
mom for the past 4 years helps, too!”
Marian’s corporate and marketing experience
perfectly complements Melissa’s retail expertise, as
does her previous 5-year co-ownership of an upscale
landscaping business in St. Croix, Virgin Islands. Her
current role as owner of and principal decorator at
True to You Interiors, an interior design business she
will continue to run simultaneously with Mary &
Blanche!, adds to the eclectic mix of talents
these
woman share.
Using their combined experience and instincts, the
pair chose the Maryland Avenue location because of
its charm and character. As Annapolis residents,
Marian and Melissa are familiar with the unique local
flavor that Maryland Avenue maintains in the midst of
the city. Because they both enjoy shopping there,
they are confident their customers will also
appreciate the appeal of strolling Maryland Avenue.
Marian adds, “The fun façade of our shop fits with
Mary & Blanche!”
The whimsical store name was inspired by an inside
joke. Marian explains, “When I lived on St. Croix, I
playfully called a friend ‘Mary’ and in return he called
me ‘Blanche.’ Melissa and I liked the sound of the
names together and thought ‘Mary & Blanche’ would
be a fun and quirky name for a fun and quirky shop.”
The Rainfords view their family relationship as a great
business advantage. “We already know each others’
personalities and which strengths we bring to the
table,” observes Melissa. Marian agrees, and feels
the business will enhance and grow their relationship.
The team envisions Mary & Blanche! serving
Annapolis as “an outrageously fun place to shop”
(the store’s tagline) for years to come—and hopes
the shop will leave a family legacy on Maryland
Avenue that provides opportunities for their children
and grandchildren.
About Mary & Blanche!
Mary & Blanche! is a unique gift boutique
that delivers its promise of providing “an
outrageously fun place to shop” by offering
shoppers a funky, fresh and fantastic assortment of
cards and gifts for any occasion. Owned by a mother-
daughter team that decided to bring hard-to-find
items to Annapolis, Mary & Blanche! is a
contemporary shop in a historic Maryland Avenue
location. For additional information, contact Marian or
Melissa Rainford via phone or e-mail (see below for
details).
Press release prepared by Single Chair
Creative Studio.
|
|
|
