When Maggie Anne’s, a boutique in downtown Hillsdale, had to temporarily suspend in-person shopping back in March, owner Patti Bailey said she knew she needed to come up with a way to stay connected with customers. Over the past five months, Bailey and her daughter have been engaging with customers and friends in the community over Facebook Live to help customers get new products.
“The videos are what carried us through the closure,” Bailey said. “Without Facebook Live, we wouldn’t be able to sell our inventory.”
Bailey said she made videos in which she showed customers new items three days a week. When she wasn’t making videos, Bailey was filling orders — shipping products as far as California.
“I’m really thankful for all the customers who followed me and purchased items,” Bailey said. “Our sales were outstanding, and our year is ahead of last year, and it’s all because of those videos.”
Bailey, who has been the owner of Maggie Anne’s for 25 years, said that she sold more of some products through the videos than she previously had with in-person shopping. More customers purchased items in loungewear and homegoods, especially decorative dishes from Polish Stoneware.
As the effects of the pandemic continue to sweep across the state and the country, Bailey said she’s noticed that people seem to be a lot more aware of where things are made that they buy.
“They don’t want products made in China anymore,” Bailey said. “They want to support products made in the USA.”
Bailey said she carries several brands whose products are made in Michigan or the United States. Supporting local designers has always been important to Bailey.
“Everyone wants to shop small and support local businesses, and that’s why we stayed in business,” Bailey said.
When Maggie Anne’s opened its doors again to customers after Memorial Day, Bailey said everyone on her staff was ready to pick up right where they left off.
Sales associate Amy Braxmaier has worked at Maggie Anne’s for six years and said she missed seeing the people she had built relationships with while the store was closed for in-person shopping.
“When we were closed, our customers were faithful,” Braxmaier said. “We do have the best little community.”
One customer, Doris Whorley, said she was able to purchase a wish bowl made by Polish Stoneware for a wedding gift through the Facebook Live videos during a time when many stores were closed.
“It was the perfect gift,” Whorley said. “I was able to purchase many different things from Patti at the time. She would package it up and deliver it to me, personally.”
In addition to selling products for special occasions, Bailey said she also sold more products that have become more essential in the last few months.
“Masks have been our number-one product,” Bailey said.
Maggie Anne’s carries Vera Bradley masks and masks made by a local company out of Litchfield, Michigan.
“The Litchfield company makes masks with a lot more local patterns based on Hillsdale College, Hillsdale local schools, and other fun patterns. They’re all selling very well,” Bailey said.
Bailey said she’s also continued to sell Naked Bee Handsanitizer, a product she carried before COVID-19.
“It has the aloe in it, so it’s really moisturizing on your hands, and it’s more soothing,” Bailey said.
While she’s owned the business for more than two decades, Bailey said the effects of COVID-19 was the biggest challenge she’s ever faced, but is happy to be open right now.
Whorley said she has been a customer of Maggie Anne’s since it opened and has always been impressed by its customer service.
“I can’t say enough about Patti and the fact that she is so accommodating and so friendly,” Whorley said. “She will do anything to be helpful to her customers.”
