Classic Cars to Classic Style: The Story of Moncton’s Vixens Boutique
MONCTON – It was Crystal King’s love for classic cars that drew her to vintage movies. But she soon fell in love with the classic clothing the characters were wearing as well.
“I was kind of wishing clothing was like that today,” says King.
At the time, Moncton didn’t have a store that carried pinup and rockabilly style clothing. King had to shop mostly online to find clothes that expressed her the best.
“With all the exchange [rates], shipping, duty and customs fees, I had to pay three times the sale price,” says King. “Then only to find out sometimes they didn’t fit and I was stuck with them.”
That’s when in 2013 she decided to open Vixens Boutique, her own retail business specializing in rockabilly and pinup clothing. The store’s first location was at her home, but in June 2015 she moved to the store’s current location at 43 Mapleton Road.
When customers walk into Vixens, they’re greeted by an assortment of retro fashion for men and women, accessories and footwear. The boutique is decorated in retro antiques and hand painted vintage tattoos adorn the walls.
Literally meaning “female fox,” the word vixen is slang historically used to describe an attractive woman.
“My job is to make everyone feel like a vixen,” King says.
Besides its brick and mortar location, Vixens Boutique also sets up pop-up shops at classic car shows around the Maritimes.
“Many cars at those shows are from the 1950’s, where my styles originated from,” King says. “So I have many customers who shop from me to match their classic cars.”
King says she fell in love with vintage styles because they’re frisky and unique. She says that vintage fashion is already part of the mainstream trends in Western Canada, but not yet in New Brunswick. She hopes that the existence of her store will help the styles become more common in the region.
“They are truly classic styles that are beautiful on all body shapes and sizes,” she says. “Young or old, small or plus size, there is something for everyone.”
After being in business for several years, she says maintaining excellent customer service has been a big part of her success.
“To me, the most important thing is to make the happy customer happy. To see the smile on their face when they step out of the dressing room is everything,” says King. “Vixens prides itself in being unique as well as its customers so I always make sure you won’t find a bunch of the same items in the boutique.”
But her business journey hasn’t been entirely smooth.
“I am a wife and mother of two who started Vixens completely on my own with no outside funding,” says King.
Her limited budget wasn’t her only struggle. Like most entrepreneurs, King had to learn to find the work/life balance. But despite the difficulties, she says getting to do what she loves every day makes it all worth it.
“It makes me happy getting to see new faces every day, the people who tell me my business is what Moncton needs, and regular customers who became loyal supporters and friends,” says King.
King plans to keep growing her business in New Brunswick with the hopes that her store will continue to thrive in Moncton.
“New Brunswick has a great community of local small businesses that are able to support each other. I love New Brunswick. I have lived here my whole life and [have] no plans of moving,” says King.
“I am not sure what the future has in store for Vixens, but I definitely hope it continues to grow to be a successful boutique.”