When Ami Ami opened in 1992, owner, Merrie Spade chose Highland Park for the location of the high-end women’s boutique.
Seven years later, she moved the store to Deerfield, where it would stay until two months ago, when Spade decided it was time to move back to Highland Park, the town where she’s lived for 40 years.
“The lease was up and many landlords from Highland Park heard that and came calling,” said Spade, who for the past ten years has run the business with her daughter and business partner, Stacey Skolnick. “It’s different than the old space. It’s kind of vintage and it has a full basement, and I love being in the heart of downtown.”
“We walked in and we knew it was the space for us,” said Skolnick, a former preschool and kindergarten teacher who said her mom not only taught her the business, but continues to inspire her. “The energy and traffic are great, and we have been so warmly welcomed by everyone.”
But despite the venue change, both Spade and Skolnick said the merchandise is better than ever, with casual and dressy attire from T-shirts to dresses and gowns and everything in between.
“People who are looking for emerging designers come to me,” said Spade, who is originally from New York. “I’ve always run my business with the theory of ‘buy less, buy better, buy fabric and buy quality.’”
“We know our customers so well that we are buying for them,” Skolnick said. “We are specific to their tastes.”
Vicki Adams of Highland Park has been a customer of Ami Ami since it opened, and said Spade has “outfitted” her for everything from weddings to business meetings to political and social events.
“I like boutique shopping, honest opinions and knowing when I walk into the store, someone knows exactly what I need,” said Adams, who currently works in the health care industry. “Merrie has such amazing fashion sense. She’s a great buyer and stylist, and she is very honest.”
Spade, who holds a degree in teaching from National Louis University worked in retail for six years before opening her first clothing store in Barrington in 1984. The store, called Sauvage, expanded with a second location in Glencoe, but Spade closed the stores in 1991. A year later, she opened Ami Ami.
“The thing about my mom is, she’s always been very good at finding things that are just on the edge of being funky, but that are also wearable,” Skolnick said. “She has a great eye for finding what’s coming next and appreciates talent and creativity.”
When asked what changes customers can expect for the new location, Spade said the store will soon start carrying special events attire for teenagers. Spade said she also plans to showcase her own sweater designs in the store.
“She’s fashion forward, yet she has classic taste,” Adams said. “I can’t say enough about her. She makes it easy for me. I’ve followed her to every store and I love having her back in Highland Park.”