Seattle Times reporters Melissa Allison and Monica Soto Ouchi write Retail Report, a weekly look at the trends, issues and people who makeup the dynamic and versatile retail sector throughout the Puget Sound region. Fridays in the Business Section. Send tips or comments to mallison@seattletimes.com or msoto@seattletimes.com.

In 1982, Fran introduced the pure chocolate experience to consumers when she opened her European-style chocolate shop in Seattle, Wash. Created as a place to showcase her sublimely rich and decadent desserts, Fran also offered her luxurious truffles, which quickly captured the taste buds of her customers and soon became the signature confection of her business.  Since opening the original shop, Fran has expanded her business to Bellevue in 1996 and U. Village in 1998. The growing line of award-winning confections, which is designed with the chocolate connoisseur in mind, includes truffles, exclusive soft caramels, signature Gold Bars, fruits and nuts, dessert sauces and baking bars.






www.franschocolates.com

                                                                                                                         Shannon Borg

Shannon Borg, Lifestyle Editor, Seattle magazine Shannon is putting her International Sommelier Guild fundamentals certification to work, pairing stories ABOUT Washington wine with stories from Food + Dining Editor Sara Dickerman. Shannon has worked at SF magazine and has contributed food, wine and travel and other articles to Northwest Palate, Wine Press Northwest, Seattle Weekly, Metropolitan Living, Avalonwine.com, and Citysearch.com. Native to eastern Washington, Shannon has lived in Utah, Hawaii, California, Texas and London. She holds a doctorate in poetry and literature from the University of Houston and has published a book of poems, “Corset,” Cherry Grove Collections, 2006. At Seattle magazine, she oversees all stories about food and wine, shopping, home design, entertaining and the magazine’s popular Flash/Talk party pictures page. She enjoys foraging Seattle’s Farmer’s Markets, visiting wine country, and sailing with her husband. Areas of expertise for interviews: Wine, beer and spirits trends and culture; farming, fishing and food trends and culture; the Seattle poetry scene; sailboat racing and boating.

www.seattlemag.com
                                                                                                                          Kristi Drake

Co-Owner of Le Panier since 1995.  Retail/Business manager of bakery from its beginning in 1983 until 1989 - just prior to the birth of her first child and 7 years of being an at-home Mom.  Married for 18 years.  Three daughters - ages 9, 13 and 16 years old.  Graduate of Seattle Pacific University with a BS in Food Science and Nutrition.  She has an absolute love of French food traditions and France itself.  She and her family have many French stamps in their passports. Raised on a dairy farm in eastern Washington and learned the entrepreneural spirit from her dad - a dairy farmer. She loves the life of the bakery and the french tradition of a fresh baguette each day.





www.lepanier.com       
                                                                                                                        Bettie Edwards

Whether it was working for a large-scale retailer in Seattle or her present 1800-square-foot gift shop on a rural island, Bettie Edwards has always fostered a passion for creating a great shopping experience and celebrating the people who step into her world. Fresh from her corporate fashion director post with Nordstrom, Bettie purchased The Little House in 1978 and never looked back. She stepped in with her business acumen from working a fast-paced retailer and applied it to her new gift shop, and savored the slower pace of the island that allowed for "face time" with each customer. Energy and optimism are contagious, Bettie says, and when applied in a retail setting, magic things happen. Next year The Little House will mark 30 years of successful operation and whole generations of Vashon Islanders entering through its front doors. In 2006 The Little House was one of just three finalists from across the nation considered for the REA honor in the promotional                                                        category. Twelve premier retailers were honored in all, among them Barnes                                                   and Noble Booksellers and Yankee Candle.
                                              
                                                                                                                       Lynn Edwards, CMP

Lynn Edwards is president of Lynn Edwards, CMP Inc., a hospitality company, which offers services such as sales and marketing, meeting planning and industry consulting. Her 20 years experience in the hospitality industry has included work for small luxury hotels, large convention hotels, convention and visitors bureaus, and meeting planning clients. She is a Certified Meeting Professional. Her meeting clients include Microsoft, Washington State Hotel & Lodging Association, Seattle Direct Marketing Association, Washington Chapter of the American Planning Association and Washington State Governor's Tourism Summit. She has also worked as a tourism consultant helping such communities as Yakima, Ocean Shores, Wenatchee and Lewis County develop strategies that will increase their tourism revenues.


                                                                                                                       Kit Hutchin

Kit Hutchin learned to knit as a seven year old in Quebec, Canada. In the fall of 2000, she opened the doors on her dream, Churchmouse Yarns & Teas, on Bainbridge Island, Washington. Her warm and welcoming shop is a place to get encouraged and inspired, learn a new skill and meet friends.This was Kit's first retail venture, but she spent over a year making preparations while she waited for a retail space to become available in the downtown village. When it did, her shop helped launch a knitting boom on Bainbridge Island.
Now, almost seven years into it, Kit tries to avoid burnout by balancing doing with delegating. Thankfully, she has an outstanding staff.






www.churchmouseyarns.com
                                                                                                                      Sonja Politakis

After an 18 year gig in corporate America, Sonja Politakis opened her boutique in downtown Tacoma in 1999.   She moved it to a North Tacoma neighborhood she wanted to help revitalize in 2005. A Tacoma native, she is the creator of the Gritty Tacoman Tee Shirt.  She likes the fact that she makes a living shopping for, dressing and hanging out with her girlfriends.  Surprisingly, she has a small closet.  Her favorite indulgence is Trader Joe's dark chocolate raisins.  She is addicted to You Tube and dukes out computer use with her 16 year old daughter.  Her husband Chris is glad she gets to use the color pink at the shop so he doesn't have to endure it at home.


www.sonjatacoma.com
                                                                                                                     Victoria Roberts

Seattle native, 4th generation husky, SU for graduate school. HR for 13 years, last position at Starbucks corporate working in business development which is where my entrepreneurial  light got turned on. I was "dating" again @ 40 after a divorce, went lingerie shopping as my drawer was SAD. Frustrated with where I had to shop so decided to create a shopping experience for women my age that made them feel special. Opened Zovo May 2005, in August of 2006 Zovo won one of the top awards in the country (lingerie's oscars if you will). As a buyer I became frustrated with the lack of lines for women my age, everything seemed to be for a younger client. We found a big opportunity in wholesale. Raised 2.5 million, found a partner in Hong Kong and developed a line of cotton, cashmere and silk. Broke the line in February 2007 in NY and at the same time, launched the Zovo e-commerce site so we are growing the brand in multi-channels. Oh another milestone, hired a CEO in October 2006 who has                                    an extensive retail, brand/marketing background who happens to be my husband.
www.zovolingerie.com

                                                                                                                    Elise Vincentini

Elise Vincentini was born in NJ 40 years ago, and now happily resides in West Seattle. She owns the well known DOWNTOWN DOG LOUNGE…Seattle’s premier doggie daycare. Currently running 2 locations and working on a 3rd in Capitol Hill, most of Elise’s time is devoted to her business and her dogs (kids). She graduated from Elon University in NC, studying marketing & economics. Though most of her professional career has been in seafood sales, she’s found what really inspires her….caring for animals.



www.downtowndoglounge.com

                                                                                                                    Luly Yang

Since 2000, Luly Yang has been celebrated for her elegant and timeless bridal gowns, and evening ensembles for ladies and gentlemen in luxurious silks and the finest fabrics. She has been voted Seattle's Best Dress Designer for 4 consecutive years by Seattle Bride magazine. In addition to the couture experience, Luly Yang's "L Boutique", offers ready-to-wear designer cocktail and evening dresses, day into night wear and resort ensembles. Her red carpet and classic shoe collections, and wide selection of jewelry masterpieces will complete any outfit. For the gentlemen, nested in the center of Luly Yang Couture is The Library, showcasing collectable fabrics, fashionable accessories and men's custom suiting. This annex to the current studio located at 1218 Fourth Avenue in downtown Seattle opened it's doors in Spring 2006.




www.lulyyang.com