By JAMES BELL
Hays Post
Refine, 115 W. 10th, officially opened for business Saturday, but while shoppers will get a unique experience, they will also see something familiar.
“We have a lot of great stores in downtown Hays and throughout Hays,” said Brianne Sultzer, co-owner, “but this brings in a whole new atmosphere.”
The idea behind the shop was to bring something to Hays that isn’t currently offered.
“Big-city shopping in a small-city atmosphere,” she said. “That was my whole goal all along.”
While the shop is new, Sultzer has a long history in the industry and knows the local clientele.
Her mother and co-owner of Refine – Tonya Staab – currently operates Mam’Zelles, 2512 Vine.
“I started the business with my mother, we’re partnering together,” Sultzer said. “She has owned Mam’Zelles for a little under 30 years, and I’ve grown up with it my whole life.”
But shop ownership isn’t limited to just two generations.
“My grandmother and her started that business, so it’s been kind of grown into me,” Sultzer said.
Opening the new shop wasn’t a quick process either, as Sultzer had been looking for the right location to open at the right time.
“I’ve been putting things together for the last couple of years,” she said.
Hays photographer Leon Staab was the previous tenant of the building, but hadn’t been working out of the location, according to Sultzer.
“We always really loved the building and I liked the location and we just kind of went to him and asked him ‘What are your thoughts?’ — and he was all for it,” she said.
He helped Sultzer keep the look in the building, with only minor adjustments made.
“The limestone all was here. We just did an all new front facade, new windows, new paint,” she said. “Pretty much the interior we kept the same except little touches like lighting.”
With the location Sultzer hopes to bring something to Hays akin to larger cities, bringing in items that can’t be found anywhere else.
“I’d always wanted something that was more unique and more like a big-city style boutique,” she said. “I’ve always liked that idea and Hays didn’t have anything like that.”
A big part of setting up the shop included finding the right collections to offer customers.
“As far as clothing we carry favorite lines,” Sultzer said. “Not only clothing but everything else they would like too.”
And with the recent opening, the shop is receiving new items frequently and, as the year draws to a close, the shop will continue to offer something new to Hays.
“We have a lot of fun holiday stuff coming in,” she said.
“I’m excited,” Sultzer said. “It’s gonna be awesome.”
The location is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.