JEANNE CARRAS
Bonaventure
Retail shoe boutique. We sell women’s shoes, handbags and hosiery.
Years Downtown:
1994-present
Little Known Fact:
Previous business was working in forensic accounting.
My Story:
Even though I was making excellent money in my accounting business, I was not enjoying it at all. I always wanted to open a women’s clothing store. When the opportunity arose to start a business in Olympia my research showed that what was really lacking was an upscale shoe store. I found what I was looking for in my own backyard: the ability to follow my dream and have fun in my work.
Our goal is to be the best women’s shoe store in Olympia, but first and foremost we are a service business. We aspire to give our customers the “old fashioned” measure your feet and proper fit that shoe stores of old used to provide. We believe in building relationships with our customers. When we buy the shoes and handbags for our store we always use the advice and taste of our customers to help us. Most of the brands we carry at Bonaventure are here by customer request.
What I Love About Olympia:
I moved to Olympia 40 years ago when the downtown was thriving. There were no malls anywhere – you shopped downtown. When I opened my store I knew it had to be in the downtown where I grew up shopping, dining and recreating. The location of my store is the old Profit’s Department Store where I bought my high school wardrobe. I love the continuity and history of being in downtown. I’ve met the most wonderful people who have enriched my life more than I ever would have imagined.
