It’s tres chic:

My last downtown shopping trip was a mix of everything: fabulous, with a spoonful of chaos.

After making a stop for coffee, I realized that I had less than an hour left on my parking meter before my car was doomed to parking ticket hell. With that thought in mind and no extra change in my purse, I made a mad dash to my favorite store: Barbara, Barbara and Company.

Trust me, this boutique is worth running downtown in heels for.

Located at 834 W. Bannock Street, Barbara, Barbara and Company provides appeal from the outside in. Walking by the window display, you can’t help but linger then eventually stop and stare at the variety of outfits hanging up.

Every time I shop in this petit boutique, I am unsure of where to begin.

Clothes and accessories seem to explode off the shelves and racks from left to right.

Dresses, T-shits, pants, shoes, you name it and it’s there. Today was no exception. I ran my hand through a rack of ridiculously cute halter tops, deciding what I should try on first.

Luckily, Barbara Lane, who co-owns Barbara, Barbara and Company alongside her long-time friend Barbara Krogh, was there to assist me.

“We used to be Barbie dolls, now we sell to Barbie dolls,” she told me as I continued to scan the store. Lane said that she and Krogh started Barbara, Barbara, and Company 22 years ago in Nampa.

“Our customers would drive from Boise to Nampa,” she said.

I was intrigued by the boutique’s rich history. Barbara, Barbara and Company has been on Bannock for as long I can remember. Obviously the shop changed more throughout the years than just its window displays.

The duo eventually moved their store to downtown Boise on Main Street before settling in their current location on Bannock.

Lane also insisted that quality has been their first priority since day one.

The store carries nothing less than top clothing brands including Free People and Beau Bois. Most notably are the designer jeans which sport labels like Hudson and Earl.

Lane and Krogh discover many of the labels they carry at markets in Europe and New York. “We really like to stay on top of it, and give people the cutting edge,” said Lane.

They also recognize that people like to look unique, and therefore, the store only carries 4 or 5 of each item.

After browsing for a little longer, I finally decided on what I wanted to purchase. “Oh you should check out our new fall label,” said Lane,

“It’s called BB-BB Dakota. You’d LOVE it. We’ll have the new items in by July.”

I made a mental note in my mind. July. BB Dakota. Barbara, Barbara and Company. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.

“Have a great day,” said Lane as she handed over my shopping bag.

“You too,” I replied. The customer always comes first at this shop.

After quick sprint back to my car, I was driving home, pleased by the outcome of my shopping spree. Fabulous with a little bit of chaos never hurt anyone, especially when it involved Barbara, Barbara and Company.

If you want to check out the store for yourself, it is open seven days a week: Monday-Friday, 10:00 am- 6:00 pm, Saturday, 10:00 am- 5 pm, and Sunday, 12:00 pm- 4:00 pm.

Francy Marcotte
Culture Writer

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