Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, March 25, 1990 TAG: 9003232164
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV9 EDITION: NEW RIVER
SOURCE: CHRISTINA MOTLEY NEW RIVER VALLEY BUREAU
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
"It's a fun store that has a sense of humor," said Jan Youngs, a customer since the store opened in 1972.
Browsing through the shop on College Avenue, a shopper can turn up African bracelets, crystal and beaded jewelry, pewter dragon decorations, masks and pterodactyl wall decorations. The clothes range from wild contemporary outfits to casual career dresses.
"You can always count on finding something unique," Youngs said.
Fringe Benefit's owners, Nancy Willoughby and Judy Murray, bought the store in 1987 and have put a lot of their own personalities into its decoration and merchandise.
The two describe themselves as "off the wall and willing to take risks" in the items they buy for their shop.
"We have creative imaginations," Willoughby said, pointing to a jewelry display case where black plastic ants climb among the earrings.
The two, originally from Northern Virginia, had worked together in retail clothing and gift shops on and off for about seven years.
"We liked retail but had ideas we wanted to pursue on our own," Willoughby said.
Fringe Benefit's original owner had been out of town for four years at the time Willoughby and Murray bought the shop. "It needed help and we gave it a face lift," Willoughby said. They added more jewelry, accessories and gift items such as earrings, belts, scarfs, soaps and perfumes, shoes and purses.
Their goal for the boutique was to make it a shop where a woman could put together an outfit from head to toe.
The two go on five major buying trips a year. Most of the clothes come from New York or Atlanta and include such popular international lines as Patamaya and Paris Blues.
"Our clothing is not off the wall," Willoughby said. "We just put them together in different ways at times to meet the person's needs.
"Fringe Benefit is unique because of the items it carries," said Mona Murphy of Blacksburg, a customer for about nine years. "In the boutiquish kind of sense it's eclectic," she said.
Fringe Benefit carries clothes made from natural fibers, fun clothes, and functional on-the-job clothes, Murphy said.
Willoughby received an art degree from Virginia Tech. Murray has long experience in the retail business.
They purchase many of their "creative art" items whenever something catches their eye. Fringe Benefit also features the work of several New River Valley artists, Willoughby said.
Earrings made from film negatives and others of clay with a rubber-stamp imprint are current store items designed by local artists.
Fringe Benefit's prices range from $3 for fun, inexpensive jewelry, to $15 for T-shirts, to $40 or $50 for a dress.
by CNB