Primrose Park will officially open for business Oct. 9 at 20 University Ave. NE. But Carnahan, the boutique owner and founder, has bigger plans for grand opening weekend. From Oct. 23 to 25, shoppers can enjoy special discounts, sweet treats, appetizers and giveaways. Carnahan also plans to host a VIP party for guests to enjoy wine, desserts and a DJ.

“My strategy is to bring chic, contemporary, feminine styles that aren’t available in the Midwest region to our shoppers,” Carnahan said. The boutique will carry up-and-coming and internationally established brands, including those from Spain, Denmark, France and London, to name a few. “Our merchandise is fun, flirty and sophisticated, but not in a pretentious way,” Carnahan said.

Primrose Park is meant to attract female shoppers between ages 25- to 45-years-old. Carnahan envisions her single customers as career driven and active, as “a girl about the town.” She also sees her married shoppers as busy, business oriented, with young children and “a cool mom.”

Still, Carnahan hopes to attract shoppers of all ages, whether it is the college student or 60-year-old woman. Her mother, 65-years-old, will be working part time at Primrose Park boutique. “My mother and all her friends will love to shop at the store,” Carnahan said. “I see [Primrose Park] as a boutique that could transcend generations.”

Carnahan thinks the colorful patterns and furniture in Primrose Park will create a feminine, relaxed and trendy environment. “Our guests will walk into a warm, inviting and contemporary place, she said. “We want our them to feel like they are shopping with their best friends.”

The new boutique will carry merchandise for any occasion and offer options with a price range from $50 to $300. Carnahan estimated about 90 percent of merchandise will have a range from $75 to $125.

Carnahan has not always been involved in the fashion industry. For the last 15 years she has been climbing the corporate ladder in America and has worked for several Fortune 500 companies like McDonalds, Ecolab and General Mills.

With an education and experience built on a marketing and business strategy, she is excited to begin this new venture. “I’ve always wanted to do this, but I didn’t have all the financials set up,” Carnahan said. “Now all the stars are aligned.”

Primrose Park Boutique is a way to bring a pocket of London to the Twin Cities, while maintaining the upscale, high fashion atmosphere. “I think Primrose Hill is an area that would resonate with people in Minneapolis,” Carnahan said. “They’re both international, trendy cities.”

Lindsay Snider is studying journalism at the University of Minnesota.