She bought Minky Mink

By Cathy DeDe, Chronicle Managing Editor

Maura Bannon has bought Minky Mink, the specialty women’s clothing store in downtown Glens Falls founded and operated by Shonna McTiernan. The price was not disclosed.

Ms. Bannon, 28, is a 2006 graduate of Lake George High School with experience in retail and a degree from St. Michael’s College in communications and journalism, with a minor in marketing.

“The closing was Friday,” she said. “Immediately after, I went to New York City on a buying trip. I’m very excited.”

She admits, “I’m still nervous, but I’m confident people will shop here.”

Ms. McTiernan terms Ms. Bannon “a gem. She’ll give Minky Mink the energy I once had…Maura has been a customer since day one. We were talking and she said, ‘Oh! I would buy Minky Mink,’ and we just went with it. This is definitely meant to be.” Minky Mink has been “profitable since the beginning,” said Ms. McTiernan, selling notably high-ticket fashion and jeans.

She laughs, “I wish I kept track of how many pairs of $200 jeans I’ve sold,” to a dedicated client base that she said ranges from Albany and Schenectady to Lake George and Vermont.

Ms. Bannon said she plans to keep Minky Mink favorites, brands such as Free People, 7 for All Mankind and Hudson Jeans. “Shonna has such a great eye for fashion,” she says.

But she also said she aims to lower the average price point from $100 or $120 to $75 or even $50. Ms. Bannon says, “In New York, I found some really great designers that have a great price point, without sacrificing the quality.”

She said she plans to add more inventory, including accessories, jewelry and eventually shoes and gift items — and aims to expand the target age group as well.

“Fashion is not just for young women. I love helping people find clothing that is perfect for them.”

“I used to work at Violets in Saratoga, a woman’s clothing store on Broadway.” She says she later worked with several area marketing firms but was long thinking to open a clothing store here.

“Glens Falls is growing, I live here, and I am excited to be part of the Glens Falls community,” Ms. Bannon said.

“Working at Violets, I always thought it was not a permanent job, but I loved it so much. Retail and fashion is a passion of mine.”

She said she spent more than a year considering a business plan, working with SCORE in Saratoga, a mentoring non-profit that puts experienced business owners together with start-ups. “They helped me a ton, especially with the financial part.”

Ms. Bannon purchased the Minky Mink business, name and inventory, its contacts and social media — an important part of the business, Ms. McTiernan stresses.

The Glen Street building continues to be owned by the Kaidas family.

Ms. McTiernan opened Minky Mink in April 2009, first as what she calls “a basement boutique” in the Colvin Building on Glen Street, then street-level on Ridge, next to Bistro Tallulah, after Red Fox Bookstore closed. When Christina Kaidas closed Sterling and Company gift shop on Glen Street, she moved the store into that space.

Of selling the business, Ms. McTiernan said, “I had been thinking about this for a while. I found myself wanting to spend more time with my family.” Her children, ages 10 and 12, “grew up in the business,” she says — but now, rather than bringing them along, she found the store was taking her away from their activities.

She says, “I didn’t want to just close the store and throw away everything. I worked so hard to bring Minky Mink to the success it is in Glens Falls. I love the community and all of my amazing loyal clientele. I didn’t want to let anyone down, or let down the City of Glens Falls. The store has been a pretty good anchor.”

Ms. McTiernan said she has “some creative things in the works” that will allow her more time with her family.

Ms. Bannon’s fiancé Mike Forcier is a co-founder with her father Dr. David Bannon of Springbrook Hollow Farm Distillery in Queensbury.

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