After the untimely death of Jess from a courageous battle with breast cancer in 2020, Alexis has taken up her cousin’s work of running both the original Jess Boutique and it’s sister store, Expressions .

Alexis explains that while they want to carry the most sought after designs for their customers, they always want each client to feel like family. “Not only are you able to find beautiful things to wear, it’s also about feeling really incredible and feeling really taken care of when you’re in the store,” she says. “When people walk through that door it’s not about ‘what can I sell you?’ It’s about ‘What can I do for you?’”

 Dazzling shoes and purses to add to any outfit.

 Brides can shop for special pieces for all their upcoming events! Find white dresses and accessories perfect for engagement parties, bridal showers, or even day-of.

 Make a statement with bold belts and bags! 

That philosophy has helped both Jess Boutique and Expressions attract loyal customers over the years who help shape the designs and styles of the store. Beyond the fashion, Alexis attributes the loyalty of the regulars to both shop’s ability to stay afloat during the Covid pandemic. At a time when much of Vermont was on lockdown, the two boutiques were forced to close their doors, but that didn’t stop Alexis from opening up the stores virtually. One of the creative tactics they employed during that time was using Instagram’s live video feature to sell clothes. Alexis would set up her camera and provide viewers with a QVC-style broadcast showcasing all the different products they had available in the store. Viewers could comment on the live videos, giving them the chance to interact with Alexis and ask questions to get the same level of service they would receive if they visited the store in person. They also experimented with offering what Alexis calls “style boxes.” Customers would provideJess Boutique with their sizes and a little information about what kinds of clothes they were looking for and Alexis and the rest of the team would put together a curated collection of items from the store. These “style boxes” were then dropped off on customers’ doorsteps, allowing them to enjoy a personal shopping experience in a social distance friendly way.

 Look and feel your best self in your favorite designers, including Nic+Zoe, Elliott Lauren, Margaret O’Leary, and many more.

 Beautiful necklaces and earrings from Deborah Grivas will add a special touch to any outfit!

 At Expressions you can find the widest selection of Eileen Fisher in the Burlington area.