“I’ve always wanted to open a clothing store. And I’ve always wanted to live at the beach. I graduated from Valdosta State in December and I started looking at my options. I came to St. Simons Island to look it over and immediately loved it here. Now I have a store and I live at the beach,” laughs Ariel Anderson, a Douglas native who has just ended her second week as an entrepreneur on St. Simons Island.
Two weeks ago, she opened ARIEL, a women’s clothing store located at 257 Redfern Village on the island. A write-up in Elegant Island Living magazine described the store as bringing “the latest in women’s fashion with a mix of edge and elegance. An ideal place to break from routine and define yourself, this one-stop wonder offers an array of exquisite clothing and accessories.” Don’t let that description scare you, though – Ariel insists you won’t suffer from sticker shock if you visit the store. “We offer ladies’ apparel for all ages. Our main focus is designer denim but we have everything – jewelry, accessories, everything. We also have affordable price points for everyone. It’s no fun going into a shop and finding that you can’t afford anything. We have a great selection and great quality at affordable prices,” she says.
Initially, Ariel planned on opening a franchise store but ultimately decided that being tied to a large corporation wasn’t for her. She “discovered” St. Simons in February, started working on her building in March, and opened in June. Though ARIEL is only two weeks old, she is very pleased with the reception she’s received thus far. “I love making people feel good about themselves. This is an awesome avenue for me. When you look good, you feel good. I let people tell me how they want to feel and look, and then I help them from there. A lot of people leave here with smiles on their faces,” she says.
St. Simons is just over 100 miles from Douglas. If you’re near the island, stop by and see what the store has to offer. ARIEL is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. ARIEL is also on Facebook and Instagram (@shoparielssi). You can reach the store by telephone at (912) 434-6438.