12 Days of Christmas: Area Small Businesses Selling Great Holiday Gifts

Looking for a unique and creative holiday gifts? Throughout the 12 days leading up to Christmas, we're highlighting small businesses in the area which offer great gift ideas.

Pittsburgh resident Brigitte Nguyen always admired the clothing trends and boutiques she saw while living and traveling in other cities. She wanted to see something similar in the Pittsburgh region.

After checking out Sewickley and talking to Holly Miller, owner of the former Bailey & Bailey, Nguyen decided Sewickley was the perfect fit for her vision.

"I saw an opportunity to bring some of the contemporary lines back to the Sewickley area," she said. 

Nearly a year after Bailey & Bailey closed and left a fashion void in town, Ragged Row officially opened for business on Aug. 25.  

Located at 507 Beaver St., the store sells a variety of brands and styles of women's merchandise. From dresses to denim to specialty coats and jackets, Nguyen can help get you ready for any season, including all the upcoming holiday parties.

"Right now, because of the holidays, a lot of people are coming in for dresses," she said. 

Nguyen describes many of the items hanging on the racks as "unique." 

"They're not something you'd necessarily find in a department store," she said. 

That's because Nguyen uses her fashion sense to pick every garment, items that add to a person's wardrobe, whether it's a jacket that can be worn casually with a pair of designer jeans, or a stylish cocktail dress or skirt. 

Some of the pieces are from contemporary designers who have been worn by celebrities, on the runways or featured in magazines. When it comes to choosing, Nguyen said "quality is extremely important to me." 

"I hand-select every piece in here," Nguyen said. "If I wouldn't wear it, then I won't bring it into the store." 

Customers can stop in during regular business hours or shop by appointment. 

Ragged Row is open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays. The store is closed on Sunday and Tuesday, or open by appointment. The shop will be open until 8 p.m. on Wednesdays in December.  Visit the shop online or on Facebook.

Do you know of a small business, which should be part of our 12 days of Christmas? Leave your suggestion in the comments box below.

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