By Rebecca Ganzak, October 2008
Photo By Zachary Bennett
When you enter the glass doors of Dahlia, you’d think you’ve just stepped into a boutique on Fifth Avenue. You’re greeted by the warm smell of scented candles, while shocks of teal, pink and royal blue garments pop under the industrial-style lighting.
Shoes and handbags lay delicately on top of shelves in this Manhattan-worthy women’s boutique in Gainesville’s Thornebrook Village, where owner Christy Morgan has been selling designer duds since 2007.
Morgan said her calling came while working at a retail clothing store called Pink during graduate school in Richmond, Va. “Ever since then, I have been extremely interested in the world of fashion,” she said.
Helping with merchandising, buying and working closely with customers piqued Morgan’s interest and motivated her to open her own store.
Morgan tries to keep an inventory of fashionably chic trends in her store by searching for pieces by up-and-coming designers. Labels such as Rory Beca, Madison Marcus and Charlotte Ronson grace the shelves. Morgan said a wide selection of dresses and jeans will flatter any figure.
“When people leave my store I want them to feel like they bought a unique piece that they will have for a long time… something that they get excited about when they look into their closet.”