On Saturday, May 24 Neon Mini celebrated its grand opening in downtown Hartland by hosting a party. The event karaoke, games, ‘swag bags’ for customers, and an appearance by the ‘Dough Nation’ donut food truck. The celebration served as an introduction for Neon Mini, Lake Country’s newest, unforgettable store for tweens. Offering a variety of clothing and accessories, the store is a bright and fun spot for kids and families to find their style.
Neon Mini’s unique appeal is largely thanks to its charming owner, Amy. With more than 20 years of experience in tween clothing, she has an incredible eye for fashion. From sparkles to more subdued styles, the store has a little something for every kid’s personal taste.
Amy set out to create Neon Mini as a way for families and young adults to have memorable in-person shopping experiences. The store combines shopping with entertainment, as it has a Photo Booth, televisions playing trendy music videos, and a “Try It Station” with fashion design coloring pages and sparkly markers. “We wanted to make everything positive,” says Amy. The store is certainly joyful, as its decorations include disco balls and neon signs that feel like stepping into wonderland.
A big reason for opening the store came from Amy’s desire to fill a need for tween experiences in the community. She noticed how shopping in person can be an extremely valuable experience for young people who are experimenting with and developing their own personal style. From her observations, kids take more interest in their clothing when they’re able to pick it up and try it on.
“A lot of the tweens that come in feel a greater sense of ownership over what they buy”, stated Amy, who has emphasized giving shoppers plenty of creative options. It’s a great place for buyers of all kind to discover products unlike any other: “We want this to be the place people think of to find the perfect birthday gift or a fab outfit for a special event.” The store helps foster a connection for all its customers, not just kids. Amy noted that she’s seen several groups of moms come in to the shop together, helping establish its role in the community.
“My biggest takeaway is that a lot of kids haven’t had shopping be a full experience before. Here, they get to really enjoy that experience.”
Neon Mini may have just opened, but the 200 visitors that attended the grand opening party is a sign of good things to come. The store has found a remarkable niche, and its creativity and upbeat attitude can’t be missed. Neon Mini has exactly what everyone wants: Style.
