Boutique Peek: Be Chic in Benicia

Two-year-old shop on Benicia's First Street offers upscale items from European and South and North American designers.

Be Chic is a sweet little boutique nestled between antique shops and buildings that once served as brothels on downtown Benicia’s busy First Street—but location alone isn’t what attracts its customers and keeps them coming back for more.

Sixteen-year Benicia resident Katharine Wills initially stopped in to admire the unique styles, saying she “likes to look for unusual pieces.” She needn’t look further: the shop carries a global array of labels including trendy David Kahn jeans from the US; soft suit jackets and skirts from the French Canadian label Iris; and wildly colored lingerie from Argentina’s T. Santiago, in addition to Italian-made shoes and flowy tops straight off the Avenue des Champs-Élysées.

Owner Claudia Mahrt, a former buyer for luxury retailer DFS in San Francisco, has a deep passion for her two-year-old store that resonates with her customers. She ensures you will walk out of her shop with something you love – and will love for years to come, as 27-year Benicia resident and local magazine editor Jeanne Steinmann has found. “Her pieces are timeless and [provide a] backdrop [for] your personality,” said Steinmann, whose latest purchase, a thick leather belt with silver details, has become a wardrobe staple.

What you can expect to find: Classic styles, good quality fabrics, and one-of-a-kind pieces you won’t find at Nordstrom.

Who shops here: Everyone from stay-at-home moms to business professionals; mothers, daughters, and their daughters.

The most rewarding thing about her job: Customer satisfaction and loyalty. “I have three employees at the store, but I love to be here and get to know the shoppers. I even think about their clothing tastes while I’m choosing new styles in Europe and New York: if I see a great jacket I just know one of my regular customers would love, I’ll grab it for them.”

Mark your calendar: Enjoy 65% off select items through the weekend, and be sure to leave your email address at the counter: Claudia will choose one item per month – be it shoes or a specific garment color —and hold a 1-2 day sale for email subscribers. (You can also subscribe online to receive these emails.)

On Friday, Oct. 2, Be Chic will host an in-store trunk show from 10-4 to showcase the new collection from Paris (it’s free and everyone is welcome.)

On Oct. 2 and 3, Be Chic will participate in The Inn at Benicia Bay’s weekend of fashion shows. On Friday from 7-9 p.m., enjoy Upcoming Designers & Trends for Fall 2009 on the runway, and on Saturday, meet Benicia’s finest at Fashion Under the Stars. Tickets are $25 per night and may be purchased through Benicia Main Street at (707) 745-9791, as well at at Be Chic boutique and at the door before the event. Wine, champagne and hors d'oeuvres will be served.
Be Chic, 309 First St., Benicia, (707) 745-1148, bechicbenicia.com