BUSINESS FEATURE Allie-Coosh
BY KEVIN CUMMINGS
Richardson boutique celebrates 30 years of dressing North Texas G rowing up in Newfoundland, Paulette Martsolf did not envision nding a career in
wasn’t available to a woman over 50 or 60,” Martsolf said. “You have to nd that nice balance of being age appropriate but still feeling like you’re feminine and beautiful.” Word quickly spread, causing Allie-Coosh to expand its space into the storefront next door and even- tually requiring Martsolf to build a backyard workshop to keep up with demand. In 2010, Martsolf added Allie-Coosh’s Richardson location to continue that growth. “Our business was such that we really were friends with a lot of our clients,” Martsolf said. Initially planning to use the space as a manufacturing hub, rising rents at Snider Plaza caused Allie-Coosh
the fashion industry. However, what started as a hobby eventually led her to Toronto with her husband, where Martsolf studied fashion design. From there, Martsolf developed her rst line of clothing, a collection of pajamas, and picked the name Allie-Coosh, a nod to her Newfound- land upbringing that colloquially means “go to bed.” “Even as a little girl, I absolutely loved fashion,” Martsolf said. “When we moved here, I worked for a couple of di erent companies, and I quickly realized that if I was going to sur- vive in this business, I’d have to do something on my own.” Following
Allie-Coosh specializes in single-color items that can be built upon with accessories.
KEVIN CUMMINGS COMMUNITY IMPACT
to move all of its operations to Richardson. The community Allie-Coosh had curated followed. Martsolf credits Allie-Coosh’s success to hard
Paulette Martsolf opened the rst Allie- Coosh storefront in Dallas in 1992.
Allie-Coosh uses a variety of fabric types and colors to create its clothes.
“YOU HAVE TO FIND THAT NICE BALANCE OF BEING AGE APPROPRIATE BUT STILL FEELING LIKE YOU’RE FEMININE AND BEAUTIFUL.” PAULETTE MARTSOLF, OWNER
COURTESY PAULETTE MARTSOLF
KEVIN CUMMINGS COMMUNITY IMPACT
another work-re- lated move with her husband,
FASHION ‘BUILDING BLOCKS’
• Shoppers should choose colors and fabrics that complement their style. • Shoppers should select from a wide range of collars, cu s, etc. that can be proportioned to their shape. • Browse accessories to add the nishing touches.
Allie-Coosh has been dressing clients for 30 years. In that time, Paulette Martsolf has developed some tips to building the right wardrobe. • Invest in signature pieces as a foundation to building a wardrobe. • Shoppers should nd the right styles for their body type.
Martsolf opened Allie-Coosh’s rst storefront in 1992 in Snider Plaza in Dallas.
work; commitment; and her clients, many of which come back decades later to nd new pieces to match ones they previously bought. Even at the height of the pandemic, Martsolf said many Allie-Coosh customers bought items to help keep the business a oat. “I have women that come in here and say, ‘I bought this from you 15 years ago, and it’s still my favorite thing in my closet,’” Martsolf said.
When it rst opened, Allie-Coosh manufactured nearly everything in-house to keep costs lower and to maintain quality control. Even before the business had a loyal following of customers, Martsolf said her goal was to create timeless articles of women’s clothing and jewelry that was formal yet functional and could be used as the foundation for myriad looks. “We provided something that just
RAYFLEX DR.
Allie-Coosh 521 N. Interurban St., Richardson 214-363-8616 www.allie-coosh.com Hours: Tue.-Fri. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., closed Sat.-Mon.
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Richardson East Rotary Club supports our community! - The Ann Eisemann All-inclusive playground was inaugurated in 2019 through collaboration with the City of Richardson. - Yearly scholarships awarded to RISD students to make it possible for them to pursue their dreams. Join our club of business professionals to serve above self and make a difference locally and throughout the world. www.rerotaryclub.com
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