My Girl opens second Fresno store

Written by The Fresno Bee
07/06/09 08:18:08

Little girls still have a place to get their hair braided and buy sparkly flip-flops now that local retailer My Girl has taken over the space a national retailer left behind in Fashion Fair mall.

My Girl opened its second Fresno location last month after Club Libby Lu closed in January. The first My Girl store opened four years ago at the Crossroads Shopping Center at Perrin and Sommerville drives. Club Libby Lu closed after owner Saks Inc. announced it was closing all 98 stores.

The My Girl store features merchandise such as kid-sized aprons, "bling-by-number" tote-bag decorating kits with stick-on rhinestones, and plenty of hair accessories.

The store offers party packages, ranging from $23 to $33 a person, that include cake and getting hair, light makeup and nails done and other activities.

Business partners Joy Houlihan and Kristie Dunbar say the store differs from Libby Lu because of its private party room and a stage that can be used for dancing or karaoke.

Kayla Dumbar, 6, takes the stage Wednesday at My Girl. The store's party packages range from $23 to $33 per person for cake and assorted activities.

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All the hair accessories sold at the shop are handmade by local moms.

The store also differs from the original My Girl location, where about 70% of the space is dedicated to parties. At the Fashion Fair store, about 70% is retail space where the public can shop, with the rest set aside for parties.

Customers have expressed some confusion over the switch to My Girl, but have welcomed the new store, Houlihan said.

"They all are saying, 'Your products are so different,' " she said. "It's still girly things."

Cleaning with pride

For Steve Smith of Visalia, abiding by the word of the Lord isn't just a way of life, but his way of doing business.

Smith praises God for the growth of his Office Pride commercial-cleaning franchise in Visalia and establishment of a new franchise in Fresno.

Smith started at age 12 with his father's cleaning business in Visalia. In 2001, he went out on his own, establishing Cleaning for the King in Visalia when he was 22.

"There's a Bible verse that says no matter what you do, whether in word or deed, do it for the Lord," Smith said. "I didn't know if it would be good or bad for business, but I decided to put it in his hand and see what happens."

Office Pride, a national network of commercial cleaning franchises, was founded in 1992 on Christian principles by Todd Hopkins. Smith said that appealed to him as he sought to merge with a national franchise to keep up with growth.

Proselytizing isn't part of the business model, but "Honor God" is first among a list of Office Pride's core values printed on the back of Smith's business card.

Between Smith's Visalia franchise and the new Fresno franchise owned by Larry Dickson, Office Pride's Valley presence has grown to more than two dozen employees and nearly 60 clients including churches, schools, offices and other businesses.

"God has certainly blessed my business," Smith said. "Obviously the bigger picture is my commitment and faith that no matter what I do, he's going to bless it."

Catering to the customer

Chiminello Catering Co. has expanded to the north after 15 years in downtown Fresno.

It has occupied a facility on Diana Court near the Marriott Residence Inn, near Barstow and Blackstone avenues. It also runs its longtime banquet hall in the International Trade Center.

And the company has a new owner. Sort of.

Angela Chiminello has taken over from her father, John, although he is still an active, albeit unpaid, associate. "This is family-owned and operated," Angela said. "I will carry on what my dad worked so hard for."

Chiminello opened at Diana Court because that hall has two rooms, which enables the caterer to have two functions simultaneously. One hall accommodates 125; the other 250.

It also has a venue for outdoor weddings.