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Daisy’s is setting new trends

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Grand opening: Daisy's launch party on Front Street generated a lot of interest on Friday evening

Entrepreneur Dawn Zuill is shaking things up on Front Street.Her third retail venture, Daisy’s, is setting new trends in town in more ways than one.When most Hamilton stores, by tradition, are closing up for the night, Daisy’s is just catching a second wind.The boutique now stays open after 5pm three evenings a week - and Mrs Zuill says business has been great.“We think it’s very important to trade during hours that are convenient to your customer rather than hours that are convenient to you,” Mrs Zuill says.“Closing at 5pm is not convenient to people who work until 5pm. So we tried to expand our hours enough to make it more appealing to them to shop.”Daisy’s is open from 9am until 9pm on Wednesdays and Fridays and in addition, it’s joined a growing number of city retailers who are open now on Sundays from 12pm to 5pm.Mrs Zuill noted that a special permit is no longer required to open Sundays. She said often “hundreds” of tourists are in town from a visiting cruise ship, and looking for something to do“I’ve had many thank me just for being open. They leave happy and they are spending money,” she says.“The more retailers we can encourage to open on Sundays the more successful we will all be.” Mrs Zuill said there only a handful of stores that open after 5pm Wednesday nights, and hardly any on Friday night.“Friday night we knock it out the park. We have been very busy,” she says.Daisy’s, located on Front Street in the old Vera P Card building, carries several designer clothing lines, as well as shoes, on trend accessories (body jewellery, tattoos, scarves) and cosmetics (including a hot neon colour line) and even a line of luxurious European lingerie for all sizes.The store features fashions by Alberto Makali, Diane Freis, Iron Fist and Dolita Paris, who has dressed some of the biggest names in music and movies, from Beyonce to Lady Gaga to Halle Berry.In addition, Daisy’s carries the figure flattering, four-way stretch DL1961premium denim line.Mrs Zuill’s new boutique joins her successful Daisy & Mac children’s stores on Queen Street, Hamilton and in Dockyard. Daisy & Mac was launched in 2007, before that it was called Bears Childrens Boutique.Having been in the business now for several years, she has some pointers for anyone wanting to follow in her footsteps in retail, especially in this economic climate.1. Find the right staff someone who’s personable, enjoys people and a hard day’s work.2. Consider how you like to shop and be treated and try to present that as a product. Have great products and also a great environment. Create an atmosphere that welcomes people in the door (“We do a happy hour every Friday night!”).3. Keep working hard to find great products at a great price.Daisy’s was taking part in the big City Hall fashion show on the weekend, and a grand opening was held on Friday night.To celebrate, during the month of July the store is offering a draw for two trips to Paris; if you spend $250 or more in either Daisy’s or Daisy and Mac’s in July you will be entered for the draw.