By Curt Peterson
Rutland entrepreneur Rebecca Buonadonna is planning to consolidate her two apparel stores into one – popular Raw Honey Apparel at 5 Center Street will be moving into Fruition Fineries space at 56 Merchants Row at the end of February.
The retailer hasn’t decided just how to configure the new combined operations, but she will be training her staff to help customers find what they are looking for in the new setup regardless.
Raw Honey is an on trend boutique featuring some denim numbers, and Fruition Fineries features classic ladies’ clothing, the stores’ owner said.
“Customers will find the same clothing labels and designs they loved at Raw Honey,” she said.
“When my friend Brianna McDevitt and I opened our Center Street fitness center, Triumph Barre and Pilates Studio, I realized involvement in three businesses was spreading my time and energy too thin,” Buonadonna told The Mountain Times. “It was obvious having two separate locations for women’s wear, even though each had a distinctive style, was a duplication of efforts.”
During the month of February Raw Honey Apparel’s customers will be treated to reduced price sales.
“Thinning our inventory will make the move much easier,” Buonadonna said.
She also hopes to host two parties, one to celebrate moving out of the current Raw Honey store, and another to celebrate being set up in the Fruition Fineries location.
The new combined store will operate under the Fruition Fineries name.
Balancing her family, which includes husband Ryan and her 13-year old daughter, her businesses, her civic activities, and her business interests, is a challenge, the Mendon native said. Buonadonna lived in Massachusetts for 17 years before returning to her Rutland area roots in 2010 to open Fruition Fineries. Raw Honey Apparel opened its doors on Center Street 8 months ago.
She met Ryan, who came to the area with his family as an adolescent, after she arrived. Ryan is an account executive for Ethos Group, an auto dealership consulting firm. The couple live on Grove Street.
Buonadonna came by her fashion expertise naturally, she said.
“I have a creative nature and loved fashion. I found I was good at it, and decided to build my life around it. It’s worked out very well for me,” she said.
Ryan is an avid cyclist and has competed in several amateur competitions. Rebecca loves the outdoors, particularly in the winter, and enjoys hiking almost every day.
Photo submitted
Rebecca Buonadonna is closing Raw Honey on Central Street and moving the store to Fruition Fineries at the end of the month.
