EASTON, Pa. — Inside the trendy boutique, a photograph of fashion icon Carrie Bradshaw from the TV show "Sex and the City" hangs directly next to a picture of Prada stilettos.
Angela Case's women's shop, Nyche, is about 70 miles west of Manhattan, but the city's influence and style are apparent — from the minimalistic decor to the unique pieces on the displays.
The best part: Everything in the store costs less than $100.
"I've loved New York for as long as I can remember," Case said. "I love going there to shop. I love the diversity. I love the energy. But I don't always like the prices.
"When you walk into a store or boutique, you will find these looks that are trendy but not affordable, so my vision was to find the trendy styles and luxurious looks at affordable prices."
Nyche opened March 22 at 140 C Northampton St. Easton.
Case, who previously worked in the banking and human resources industry, first launched Nyche as an e-commerce store in October 2020.
It was during the coronavirus pandemic, when online shopping spiked (according to Census.org, e-commerce sales increased by $244.2 billion or 43% in 2020).
Young and hip vibe
As her business grew, Case began selling her merchandise at pop-up shops in Asbury Park, New Jersey, and at festivals in Bethlehem and Easton.
"When COVID hit, I told my husband I'm not going back to the corporate world," Case, a mother of two, said.
"I have always loved fashion, and it has always been my dream to own a brick-and-mortar shop, but I never thought that would happen."
Case lives in Bethlehem Township but said she chose to open her boutique on Northampton Street on the first floor of the Eastonian Hotel because of the city's young, hip energy.
"It's like Soho," she said, referring to the trendy neighborhood in Lower Manhattan.
"There's everything within walking distance: restaurants, small cafes, the Eastonian hotel and the apartments. I like the neighborhood; the community has been so supportive."
Spring and summer fashion
Case said she works with designers who carry inexpensive but high-quality threads to find the pieces for the boutique.
She also follows fashion influencers on social media, reads magazines such as "Who What Wear," and attends trade shows biannually.
Case tends to dress in neutral colors but carries pieces with pops of color (on the racks and tables were pastel blues, yellow shirts and dresses, and bright-colored resort wear, perfect for warmer temperatures and trending in 2025).
Unlike her online presence, she also enjoys meeting the clientele (during a recent shopping excursion, Case helped a customer pick out the perfect outfit for a party, including some jewelry, which cost her less than $400).
"I want to bring women out of their comfort zone, so if they see something on the hanger, and they think it's not going to look good on them, I want to show them that it can," Case said.
"I want women to feel like they don't always have to wear leggings or sweatshirts all the time. There are ways to wear jeans and look fashionable.
"It's about finding a way to wear something different."
Boutique hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Fridays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays.
Customers can check out Nyche on Instagram or visit the website.
