Stepping into the Season
Kelly Carney, owner of Eva Bryn Shoetique, discusses her fabulous store and first year in business
Article Matt Hacke
Photography Tammy Wilson Blazer
While living abroad in Scotland with her family, Gibsonia Native Kelly Carney became friends with Karen Fletcher, Owner of Ruby Tuesday Shoes.
"Karen taught me to appreciate trends and styles of shoes," Kelly says.
Inspired and mentored by Karen, after moving back to Pittsburgh, Kelly started taking classes at the center for Women's Entrepreneurship at Chatham University with the plan of opening a shoe store. That plan finally came to fruition last September when Kelly opened Eva Bryn Shoetique,
Kelly's boutique, named after her twin daughters, Eva and Bryn, carries a wide selection of shoes that hit many different interests and price points.
"I sell comfortbale and fashionable shoes," Kelly says. "My main price point for shoes I carry is between $80 and $250, and 95% of my shoes are between those prices."
Currently, the boutique offers women's day-time, evening and special occasion shoes, from brands more unique to the area such as All Black Footwear, Jefferey Campbell and Kelly's one high end line, Lucy Choi of London.
"Lucy Choi is the niece of famed footwear designer Jimmy Choo, and in fact, she actually works in the former space that he worked in," Kelly says. "The shoes are a total statment piece. It's the shoe where you can wear all black and let it speak for itself."
Just in time for fall, Kelly's store is stocked with the letest trends of the season, including platforms, animal prints and tortoiseshell details.
"A platform is big for fall, and no matter what height you are, you should wear them," she says. "I love when taller women wear platforms and embrace their height!"
Aside from shoes, Kelly also carries five lines of handbags, several lines of jewelry and capes, wraps, blazers and jacketrs.
"My business is a place where you don't need a dressing room to try anything on," she says.
Having just celebrated the boutique's one-year anniversary with a spectacular party, Kelly can't believe that a year has already gone by.
"Before I opened a little over a year ago, I knew I really wanted to be somewhere where you could park your car and spend the afternoon going from shop to shop," she says. "I also wanted to be able to complement the other amazing bussiness here in Zelienople.
Kelly is quick to point out that the support of the other businesses in the area has been tremendous.
"There are so many other women-owned businesses that have been around this town for a long time, and they have all been so supportive and great mentors," she says. "So, my first year in business has been more than fantastic. Plus, women are always in a happy mood when they are shopping for shoes!"
