Francesca's Boutique Opens at Great Lakes Mall

Francesca's is no mom-and-pop boutique, but managers there take it as a compliment every time a shopper mistakes it for one.

"A lot of people assume myself or the key-holders are the owner," manager Lola Jurewicz said. "When they leave, they say, 'We hope you make it.'

"That's what we're going for as a company. There are a lot of stores you can walk into and it's clear it's a corporate store — that's the look we're going for. Every Francesca's is different."

Houston-based Francesca's has more than 350 boutiques in 45 states. The company opened a Mentor location on April 20 in Great Lakes Mall.

The store carries women's dresses, scarfs, accessories and more. You can also find humorous wall art with phrases like, "I don't have to flirt, I'll seduce you with my awkwardness."

"The big thing that we push for as a company is affordable, trendy clothing," Jurewicz said. "We don't want you to have to spend a ton of money on a trend that might only last for a month ... you can always come in and find new things."

The Mentor store has a staff of six. There are five other Northeast Ohio locations, including one in Legacy Village.

Jurewicz said the company wanted to change the mood of its shoppers in Lake County, who had expressed that they rarely made it to Legacy Village. The company wanted to offer convenience more than becoming a desitination store.

"Francesca's certainly brings a unique concept to Great Lakes Mall," mall spokeswoman Renee Lanzara said in an email. "When you shop there, it's nice to know you'll show up at a party and no one will have the same dress on as you!

"We've seen a positive response to the store and are optimistic about the future of these boutique concepts."