While many people spent this October long weekend watching football finals, visiting friends or getting ready for school holidays, for Marietta Khoury it was cause for a celebration. In October 1978, some 40 years ago, Marietta took ownership of her clothing business and has never looked back. Bathurst and the Central West offered a wonderful opportunity to grow and improve on the way the existing business was being run, and Marietta grabbed it with both hands.
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Marietta said she credits the stores longevity and success with being able to adapt and change, while keeping a focus on what customers really wanted. “Over time we have changed styles that we have stocked along with different brands. While there has always been a focus on mature ladies fashion such as ‘Sabin’ we have started stocking labels including ‘Kalisson’ and ‘Bagoraz’ which appeals to a younger market,” she said.
Marietta said that it has been amazing watching the changing looks throughout the years and is always happy to try new styles that people might be looking for. “We are currently stocking a number of ‘Country Classics’ pieces with a strong focus on rustic styled shirts”. But loyal customers should not be worried by the changes, “We will still continue to stock or normal range of high quality blouses, dresses, slacks and skirts,” she said.
Marilyn is an angel, she truly is. She will bend over backwards to help anyone.
- Marietta Khoury, Marietta's Boutique
Marietta’s also supply school uniforms to most of the schools throughout Bathurst. While some school choose to stock their own Marietta said that they will always have options available for everyone. “We like to help wherever we can and have found people are especially looking for good quality and affordable sports uniforms,” she said.
A special community service that is provided in store is a second hand, school uniform pool. Staff member, Marilyn Pratley, has been running the clothing pool since 1993 and now operates it from the rear of the store. The pool offers a place for people to sell and buy second hand uniforms for the catholic schools across Bathurst and Marilyn said they make sure all clothing is washed and in good condition. “It enables families on a tight budget to purchase good quality uniforms. We put any profits back into the community by providing uniforms to disadvantaged students and also by purchasing uniforms for schools such as band uniforms,” she said.