Editor’s note: The Daily Press features a profile of an area business each week. This week’s featured business is Lisa Ann in Escanaba.

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By Jordan Beck

jbeck@dailypress.net

ESCANABA — Local women’s clothing store Lisa Ann is celebrating its 10th anniversary in style this year. The store’s owner, Lisa Ann LaLonde, said she opened Lisa Ann as a way of fulfilling a long-lasting goal of hers.

“I just always wanted to own my own business, and I figured the clothing business would be a good fit,” LaLonde said. The store was originally located in Delta Plaza Mall. In the summer of 2009, it moved to Ludington Street, where it is still located today.

LaLonde said this milestone is particularly meaningful because her store opened during the 2008 recession.

“It’s pretty miraculous, since … everything crashed,” she said.

According to LaLonde, one of the most significant reasons her store survived was the fact that it filled a niche in the Escanaba area.

“I think I brought … needed fashions into Escanaba for women my age,” she said, noting that other local women’s clothing stores tended to sell clothes targeted at younger or older age groups.

LaLonde also said her store focuses primarily on fashionable casual wear.

“I have styles for everyday wear — it’s not just special (occasions),” LaLonde said.

In addition to the store’s clothing, Lisa Ann offers a selection of purses, jewelry, gift items, bath and body products, candles, and essential oils.

“(They’re) good for my customers, but also good for gifts,” LaLonde said of these items.

The store has attracted a dedicated following over the years, LaLonde said.

“So many people tell me that I better never close,” she said.

In 2017, the public declared Lisa Ann to be the area’s best clothing store in the Daily Press’ “Best of the Best” readers’ choice awards.

“I was very excited and honored that people would choose … Lisa Ann,” LaLonde said.

To celebrate her store’s survival and success, LaLonde said she will be having a special event at Lisa Ann in the near future.

“I am (planning) to have a big 10th anniversary sale coming up in the next couple months,” she said.