Fashion Forward—Hot Flashes Boutique And Gifts Moves From Waterford to Niantic

A lot of stores sell clothes but savvy fashionistas know that the outfit isn't complete without accessories—and if you're looking for that perfect scarf, purse, or signature piece of jewelry to turn a department store dress into a one of a kind look, then Hot Flashes Boutique and Gifts is the place to go. 

The boutique recently relocated from Utopia Plaza on the Post Road in Waterford to 55 West Main Street in Niantic (next to Thames Import Co. and East Coast Taco). 

The new store is smaller—400 square feet compared to 1,100 square feet in Waterford—but after eliminating the tanning salon that was once part of Hot Flashes, store owner Christine Manolakos said she didn't need so much space. She didn't necessarily set out to leave Waterford but when her lease was up, she started looking around to see what else was out there. 

The new location in Niantic had everything she was looking for, Manolakos said. It's close the road and gets a lot of traffic because its location on Route 156 puts it between downtown Niantic (an area known for mom and pop stores that include a number of gift shops and clothing stores) and the highway. And it has parking right next to the store. 

Fashion Forward

Though the address has changed, one important thing remains very much the same and that's Manolakos's impeccable taste. She shops for all her inventory personally, buying directly from wholesalers in New York City's fashion district.

"You go in and it's just heaven," said Manolakos. "Everything is hand-chosen by me. I take a long time to inspect the bags."

Manolakos is constantly researching, so she knows what colors, styles, and combinations are on trend and which designers are hot. She carries items by popular designers, such as Big Buddha by designer Steve Madden, Rain, Mad Bags, Mud Pie, and Creative Gifts. 

One of the things that makes her store really unique, however, is that she doesn't usually buy more than one of the same item. 

"I rarely keep multiples," she said. "I want people to feel they have an exclusive. It's nice for people to feel they have something special and the store is ever-changing." 

Manolakos pays close attention to her clients and what they like and, to make sure she's giving people what they want, there are a few signature items—such as a starfish bracelet—that she makes sure she always has on hand because people come in looking for them. 

A Stylist At Heart

Manolakos's background is in accounting but since taking over the store from Pati Macrino, who first established Hot Flashes in Waterford in 2002, she's discovered her true passion is styling people. 

Come in with an outfit you're planning to wear for a wedding, a prom, or a night on the town, and Manolakos will help you find the perfect scarf, jewelry, or purse to really make a statement. Looking to dress up a work outfit? She can help you do that too, or show you how to take it from a daytime to an evening look.

As all the jewelry is costume, you won't have to spend an arm and a leg to look like a million bucks either.

"I've heard positive feedback that my prices are great," said Manolakos. 

Hot Flashes Boutique and Gifts opened in its new location on June 7. The store hours are reliably Tuesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. But although the Waterford store was closed on Sundays and Mondays, Manolakos said she's open every day of the week at the moment to see which days bring in the most traffic. 

Check Hot Flashes Facebook Page to find out what the regular hours will be going forward and to see what's new in the store.