Sisters hang their dreams on new business
By Rochelle Moore
Published in News on February 18, 2018 3:05 AM
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News-Argus/ROCHELLE MOORE
Sisters Alecia Graves and Asia Gilliam open a new women's clothing store, Velvet Hanger, on South Berkeley Boulevard in the Adamsville Gateway Center.
A unique women's clothing store, with professional, sophisticated and casual styles, is now open in the Adamsville Gateway Center on South Berkeley Boulevard near Seymour Johnson Air Force Base.
Velvet Hanger, at 214 S. Berkeley Blvd., offers a variety of items -- dresses, slacks, patent-leather jeans, velvet pants, blouses, shirts, jackets, coats and cardigans -- ranging in size from small to 4X.
"We have items that really flatter every woman," said Asia Gilliam, co-owner. "We're not as trendy. We go for the timeless fashion pieces, which is like the Southern belle."
The store has a selection of off-the-shoulder shirts and dresses, as well as a variety of accessories, including jewelry, hair pieces, hats, socks, stockings and leggings. Custom pieces are also available, including custom patches that can be added to clothing. Embroidery service is also available.
"It's just giving folks the opportunity to put their own spin on things," she said.
The store is co-owned by Gilliam and her sister, Alecia Graves, who were interested in opening the shop after moving to the Goldsboro area from Virginia Beach.
The owners work to help customers find the right style and fit. They also avoid using plus-size terminology when describing their merchandise.
"We don't say extra large and plus size here," she said. "There's no such thing as plus size. It's goddess size."
The sisters always wanted to open their own ladies shop, after having a flair and interest in fashion throughout the years.
"We love fashion in this family," Gilliam said. "We always thought we would open a store."
Gilliam originally wanted a career in fashion but eventually decided on interior design. She owned her own interior design company in Virginia. She also worked in the medical field as a staffing director.
Because her life had shifted from her original dreams, she decided to move to the Goldsboro area to be closer to family and open the store.
"I'm loving it here," she said. "People have time to talk to each other.
"I feel like I'm living a girl's dream in a sense. What girls don't want to talk about fashion?"
The owners hope to add unisex items to the store, like band T-shirts, gamer T-shirts, hippie gear and other products that can be worn by men or women.
Velvet Hanger is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. The store can be reached at (919) 916-3600.
The business regularly shares clothing items and other store information on their business Facebook page.