BY LIZ WITBECK
Pam Worth, born and raised in Saratoga Springs, has more than 30 years of retail experience, dating back to her days as a manager and buyer at Sutton’s Marketplace in Queensbury.
At Sutton’s, for more than 23 years,
she managed 10,000 square feet of retail space, with diverse departments such as menswear, womenswear, jewelry, Vera Bradley, and more. She missed Saratoga Springs and wanted to create a business closer to where she grew up.
In 2010, Worth opened Spoken Boutique at
27 Church St. The store is aimed at women between the ages of 40 to 60. Spoken Boutique
offers funky, unique, yet appropriate fashion
choices for older women.
Worth is passionate about what she does.
She is not simply in the business of fashion, but
in the business of creating great customer service.
Simple things like greeting each woman
at the door, laying out her merchandise in a
logical manner, and providing customers with
her undivided attention make guests feel more
welcome, according to Worth.
“What is most important is how you treat
your customer,” said Worth.
She listens to her customers and does her
buying according to what they want. As a consumer
herself, Worth feels she has a good feel for items that her customers would like.
“I am grateful for every single customer who
walks in the door, whether she walks out with
a Spoken bag or not,” said Worth. She believes
excellent customer service keeps customers
coming back.
The store is large, with lots of natural lighting.
A spacious floor plan allows for customers
to walk through the racks with ease. Clothes
are high quality and come in fun, interesting
patterns.
Spoken Boutique features a “lookbook” of
current clothes. She also uses Facebook to post
photos of her wares. Worth, her employees, and
her friends and family model the clothes themselves
in locations around Saratoga Springs,
creating a down-to-earth, real-life portrayal of
women in her clothing.
Some of the brands carried at Spoken
include Eva Varro, Ivy and Blue, Kensie, 525
America, and Red Engine Denim.
Worth aims to provide fashionable clothing
for the women who shop at her store and is
sensitive to their needs.
“It’s not about [the size], it’s about being
comfortable and confident,” said Worth.
Spoken Boutique has a large customer base
in Saratoga, with other women coming from
Albany, Vermont and Connecticut to shop,
she said. Some women have been shopping
with Worth since she was working at Sutton’s
Marketplace.
With more than 30 years of retail experience,
Worth is no newcomer to the fashion industry,
but admits that it is not always easy owning
her own business.
“It’s probably the hardest and most rewarding
thing I’ve ever done,” said Worth. “It’s a lot
to undertake. I balance a lot as mother, wife
and business owner.”
Worth thanks her employees at Spoken for
helping her to be so successful.
Fall is one of Worth’s favorite seasons and
she is getting prepared for the season with lots
of chunky sweaters, vests, scarves, hats, wool,
and neutral colors.
On Oct. 25, Spoken Boutique will hold a fall
open house as part of the Saratoga Downtown
Business Association Fall Festival. There will
be face painting and other fun activities. For
more information, call 587-2772 or visit www.spokensaratoga.com.