Maison Weiss: Personal Perspective

MW²’s boutique take on clothes and accessories.

Tucked away on the Square is an unquestionably Oxford-style boutique that caters to “women ages 13 to 80,” says manager Kathy Hickman. MW² (Maison Weiss Squared) is, as the name might suggest, a relative store to Maison Weiss in Jackson. It found its place on the Square in Oxford in 2004.

The store carries clothing and jewelry, from casual to Grove to formal, that mirrors the style of the city. But the boutique’s real Oxford flair comes from its charmingly southern, welcoming atmosphere. Hickman, as well as Teresa Flautt, often extend their positions as managers to be fashion consultants and friends to their familiar clientele.

“If they’ve been in several times, we usually know them,” Hickman noted. “We know our customers, so we can pull stuff for them, and that’s always fun.”

Watching the two managers interact with a frequent customer proves that a sometimes-intimidating situation, such as any involving trying on clothes, can be made fun and relaxing with the atmosphere.

“That’s what is so different in a place like this than a big department store,” Flautt says.

Part of what makes MW²’s customer base such a broad spectrum is its wide range of products. While the clothing options might best suit women from teenagers and up, younger girls might be interested in the lines of small accessories. Also, while its jewelry and clothing might not appeal to every style, MW²’s national makeup and skincare lines could appeal to any woman.

Flautt sees this variety as an essential ingredient to a successful, public-pleasing business on the Square or anywhere. “If you limit yourself too much, you’re not going to get the traffic or the clientele,” she says.

Another way the store expands its audience is by hosting in-store events, mirroring the strategy of its larger, Jackson location. Next up on the MW² calendar is a makeup event featuring national artist Laura Mercier, whose line is carried by the boutique. The event will be held in-store on Friday, October 4.

Though the Oxford and University communities largely support the store, Flautt attributes much of its success to growing tourism in the city and the subsequent foot traffic on the Square.

“I know they talk about the town growing and the university growing, but I really think the tourism is growing too,” Flautt says. “People come for the weekend just to get away.”

Perhaps the most important factor that makes MW² fit into the feel of the Square so well is its leader’ genuine concern for people. “I love working with people,” Flautt says. “I’ve always worked with other people; I like the variety, talking to the different people.”

A native of Oxford, Flautt is still struck by the array of interesting people that visit the town and her store.

“You never know who’s going to come through here—it might be someone making a short film, celebrities, writers, anybody,” Flautt says.

— Grace Sullivan, HottyToddy.com Intern and Student of the Meek School of Journalism & New Media