I’m not going to lie, I’m an in-the-loop kind of girl. North of 635 screams Oklahoma to me, and so much so, that I tried to get away with interviewing Sebastian’s Closet via email. Much to my dismay, Tim Leamy, co-owner and founder, claimed better speaking than typing skills and that the interview would best be conducted in person. Thus, I begrudgingly drove out to Village on the Parkway. The second I walked in, the entire staff was all smiles – they introduced themselves to me, offered me wine, water or soda, and were all overwhelmingly warm and welcoming. My entrance into the spirited and colorful boutique not only began the transformation of my once hardened heart to North Dallas, but it also embodied what Sebastian’s Closet represents entirely – a fun and energetic, yet laid-back experience that still concretely conveys how serious they are about specialized fashion – and it happens all outside the loop.

 

After the store tour, Tim Leamy, co-owner with Glen Agritelley, and I sat down on comfy opposing chairs like old friends. My questions centered on what accentuates Sebastian’s Closet from other boutiques and Leamy immediately honed in on the long-term staff and the personal relationships with their clients. I’m thinking in my head, “standard response”, but then he elaborated. Not only does the staff of Sebastian’s know their customers’ names, they know their kids’ names, the kind of cars they drive, their birthdays, their choice of wine – everything. When a client walks into the store, Leamy and crew learn who that person is, from what they do for work to what they do for fun. Leamy quite simply asks asks, “How can I know what someone is looking for, if I don’t know who they are?” That mentality stood out to me, and the way Tim spoke, I foresee that the staff, while genuinely interested in you as a client, is never pushy and their 90% repeat customer rate evidences that.

 

Leamy then delves into the second facet of Sebastian’s keeping them alive after 30 years; they push the envelope when buying fashion pieces for both men and women. As Tim articulates it, “We operate like a produce stand; we keep things fresh. We keep our clients relevant." Yet, here is where the specialized element of Sebastian’s really kicks into high gear, as they focus on discovering and unveiling the next fashion gem before the dominant, swankier chain stores do, and they do it sans snooty factor. Leamy calls it “beating the big boys”, and they’re always ahead of the game with innovative and fresh designers such as the bright and bold Sand from Copenhagen or the Spanish brand Desigual, literally translating to “unequal”. Here, the personal relationships weigh in, as the staff knows which client will need to take baby steps in their stylistic evolution, or who will be ready to make that leap into uncharted, revolutionary fashion waters.

 

And it’s in the cohesion of Sebastian’s personal relationships combined with their mantra of out of the box style that the third attribute reveals itself; the experience of Sebastian’s Closet in and of itself. Whether it is a glass from their own wine bar (no really, they own the trendy Tuscanesque wine bar Mercy next door), water or coke as your drink of choice, they want you comfortable and relaxed. Sebastian’s wants your store time to be the best part of your day, and it has nothing to do with the amount you purchase, if you purchase at all. It’s about you capitalizing on their dynamic but unassuming approach and their gregarious yet sincere attitude. Tim claims that if they didn’t make a mess for you, they weren’t doing their job, and you can tell he means it. All in all, a day at Sebastian’s is like a good party. You have a ball while you’re there, establish new relationships, build upon old ones, engage in good conversation, drink good wine, make a mess of things and leave feeling like a younger, livelier version of you. Who wouldn’t venture outside the loop for that?

 

Sebastian’s Closest, originally conceived for the male shopper, added a unique women’s clothing and accessories presentation 8 years ago, so there’s something for everyone. Visit Sebastian’s Closet in the Village on Parkway, located at 5100 Belt Line Road, Suite 540; Dallas, Texas 75254 or give them a call at (972) 387-0888.