Specialty stores a best kept secret

Specialty stores have become the latest trend in shopping, and Hattiesburg and Oak Grove are no exceptions to this new fad.

The quaint boutiques that are thriving in the Hub City offer shoppers the chance to be unique.

United Apparel Liquidators, or UAL as we savvy shoppers know it, has become a key ingredient in developing a college girl's wardrobe. The fashion forward store is packed weekly with new shipments of discount, designer clothes. Their inventory comes in from New York and Los Angeles, and is sold for 75-90 percent off the retail price. On top of the already unbelievable prices, UAL also has daily sales including the coveted deals in the "backroom" of the store. Not only is it the ultimate in discount designer clothing, on some weekends the store runs a half-priced sale on its backroom items.

UAL is customer-oriented, and works to make sure their customers know when the latest shipment has arrived, or when the newest sale will take effect.

Be sure to join the customer e-mail list that sits at the cash register in the store.

Maggie Robinson, the manager of the store gives us her tip to shopping there.

"When you come to UAL, you never know what you might find, so buy it then or it won't be there when you go back."

UAL is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m.- 8 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.- 7p.m. and Sunday 1 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Trendy Eve Marie's is a family owned and operated shop offering a wide variety of evening clothing and accessories.

Ivan Kozar, co-owner of Eve Marie's, says the store is somewhere for college students to find "going out" clothes.

"It's a good place to get the latest fashion trends and accessories," Kozar said.

Eve Marie's is open Monday through Friday 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Oak Grove also offers its own selection of boutiques such as Randy Price & Company. The store, along with its sister store Pzazz, gives customers a variety of shopping for any age or gender. Randy Price & Company carries a large selection of men's attire from casual ware to suits. Lacoste, Tommy Bahama, KAVU and The North Face are some of the brands the store carries.

Pzazz, which sits next to Randy Price & Company, has a trendy feel with a designer stock.

"It's great for anyone, young kids all the way to ladies and men. We just try to hit it all," said Ashley McManus, manager of Pzazz.

March 31 is the last day to get $25 off of a pair of jeans. If you go into the store and tell them you saw their ad on Facebook, you will receive the discount.

Both stores are open Monday through Friday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. and 10a.m. - 5 p.m. on Saturday.

The newest boutique to open in the area is the fresh shop lilly & louise.

Opened by sisters, Corinn and Caitlyn Grillot, the new store gives USM women a place to find style. lilly & louise opened last Saturday and nearly sold out of their inventory in the first day. Corinn Grillot explained that after realizing she and her sister would always go home to New Orleans to do any shopping, they decided to bring the Big Easy's feel of shopping to Hattiesburg. Along with the influx of people from Hurricane Katrina, lilly & louise was the answer.

"We are very excited to be new, and it's a great opportunity. We're in our element and we love doing this," said Grillot. She describes the store as junior contemporary that is trend-aware. The shop is cozy and modern. The clothes will give a "fashionista" chill bumps. The store offers clothing, shoes and accessories.

Lilly & louise is open Monday through Saturday 10 a.m.- 7 p.m. and Sunday 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.