Coming Soon: Petra Lexington, a Women’s Fashion Boutique
Why a Miami-trained, 29-year-old Newton native who calls Brookline’s Coolidge Corner home decided to open her fashion boutique in Lexington Center.
For all Lexington’s "haves" – the history, the good schools, the prime location and the vibrant culture – it was one of the "have nots" that led Petra Hoffmann to take a leap that could define her career.
This March, the almost-29-year-old Hoffmann plans to open Petra Lexington, a womens clothing boutique she says will introduce a new dimension of stylish inventory and advice to a vibrant town center.
Hoffman says she grew up in Newton, studied at a small school in Miami, has worked various jobs in the fashion industry and currently lives in Brookline’s Coolidge Corner. But it was after her parents moved to Lexington, and she noticed the town was a little lacking in terms of womens clothing options, that dreams of her own place began to take shape in reality.
“My mother’s incredibly fashionable, and she’s like my muse, and my parents moved here a few years ago,” says Hoffman, “I was shocked, because there’s nothing here and there are so many women here, and they’re so fashionable.”
She didn’t waste a lot of time. Hoffmann wrote up a business plan early last year, started looking for a space over the summer and will be in business soon.
Petra Lexington, a boutique catering to women of all ages, is set for a soft open planned for March 1, with a couple of parties to follow. Hoffamann, the storeowner, said an interesting inventory and personal service would be a part of the business plan.
“It’s personal shopping,” Hoffmann said, “I don’t care who you are or what you do; if you have an appointment or if you’re buying a T-shirt, this is what I do. When I put an outfit together for someone, it’s like I have a physical reaction to it. It’s my life.”
For more information about Petra Lexington, and the business opening check out the store on Facebook at www.facebook.com/petralexington.
Cindy Datz
3:28 pm on Friday, February 1, 2013
Failure in the making Nobody in Lexington wants to know PETRA
Cindy Datz
3:29 pm on Friday, February 1, 2013
Not intersested
Jane Marshall
6:19 pm on Friday, February 1, 2013
I don't get what the big deal is she stole her ideas from another boutique. Phony
Leslie Barish
10:56 am on Sunday, February 3, 2013
Same store as mission?
Joni Savage
1:21 pm on Monday, February 4, 2013
Why Lexington?
Emma
10:16 pm on Friday, February 8, 2013
OMG SOOO EXCITED! Can't wait to go shop at the amazing Petra's!
Erica
10:21 pm on Friday, February 8, 2013
Can't wait to have 2 AMAZING stores to shop at Mission in Canton, and Petra Lexington! Anyone who knows Petra Hoffmann knows her amazing fashion sense, and love for dressing other people! YAY can't wait!
Susie
3:11 pm on Friday, February 15, 2013
I don't think so"""""she is so full of herself
Caitlin M.
12:02 pm on Tuesday, February 19, 2013
I can not wait to shop at Petra! She has such a great sense of style and such a kind girl. What a doll!
Margie G
12:27 pm on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
If 344 did not make why will she. Lexington is not a cool destination !!!!!!!!
Petra
10:10 pm on Saturday, March 2, 2013
Hi Margie, My store is COMPLETELY different than 344. And I actually talked with the owner of that store and it is not that he didn't make it (in fact he said it did quite well) he just decided not to renew his lease as he has many other stores and other irons in the fire. I do have to disagree with you about Lexington not being cool. It is. The history and people really make that place. There are so many 'cool' women I have meet in the past week who live there who really wanted a new place to shop. Please come in and see how Petra is NOTHING like 344! I hope to meet you soon!
Best,
Petra
Aron Levy
6:04 pm on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
I see the sockpuppets have come out to play.
Begone, idiot shills.
I give Petra a year or two at the most. This town needs something more interesting than yet ANOTHER women's clothing store.
Steve
9:42 am on Tuesday, February 26, 2013
I agree. Petra Lexington is not what the town wants. Did she do her homework
Petra
10:00 pm on Saturday, March 2, 2013
Hi Steve,
I am sorry you feel that way. Since you are not my target market, I have to tell you that every single woman who has walked through that door in the past couple days has told me how much this town really needed something like this- which is why I opened in the first place...I did actually do my homework- LOTS of it. I had a long, extensive business plan and wouldn't have opened if I thought this isn't want the women of Lexington wanted. I would love for you to come into the store and see that it is something just a little different and hopefully you will change your mind!
Best, Petra
Shoshana
7:05 pm on Friday, March 1, 2013
@Cindy, then stick with Marshall's, what you can afford. @Jane, Jealous much? @Susie, look in the mirror @Aron Levy, new Lexingtonians like you are what make the town have a snotty rep. Nice to support a new small business (insert sarcasm)! You should all be ashamed of yourselves. @Margie, Lex is cool as long as you don't reside there. @Steve, do you wear women's clothes? Alright then!
Aron Levy
9:28 am on Saturday, March 2, 2013
Shoshana dear,
I've lived in Lexington since 1991. I'm hardly 'new to the town.'
And I'm not snotty, I'm realistic. And none of these other accounts are real people. Heck, considering you're a new account, you may just be another sockpuppet, too.
Petra
9:46 pm on Saturday, March 2, 2013
Hi Aron, I am really sorry that as a long time Lexington resident you don't look forward to new local businesses coming in Instead of another bank! I would like to extend an invitation for you to come in and say hi & see this is not just any other store! I truly love this town and want to make the women here happy. I do have to tell you that every single woman who has walked through that door in the past couple days has told me how much this town really needed something like this for women. I guess you're not my target market... I hope to meet you soon. Best, Petra
Petra
10:03 pm on Saturday, March 2, 2013
Thank you for your support Shoshana! But I do have to say Lex is cool- even when you live here!!!
xo! Petra
Aron Levy
6:59 am on Monday, March 4, 2013
Petra, I hardly want another bank, and I wish you the best.
I'm just tired of dealing with these fake accounts.
Samantha H
8:46 am on Saturday, March 2, 2013
PETRA is full of herself and will never make it in Lexington or anywhere. Everyone calls themselves a stylist What is hers.....
Petra
9:53 pm on Saturday, March 2, 2013
Hi Samantha, I'm really sorry you feel that way just by one interview in the patch. I would love for you to come into my store and meet me so we can talk and you can see that I'm not full of myself. I just want to give people of Lexington a wonderful shopping experience. That's all. I hope to see you soon. Petra
ElizabethB
10:51 am on Sunday, March 3, 2013
I went into Petra's and found it mediocre! Ribkoff is from the 90's and there is nothing there that you cannot find elsewhere nothing to make me want to go back there!!!!! And I live in Lexington. I give it a YEAR!!!!!
Petra
11:06 am on Sunday, March 3, 2013
Hi Elizabeth, I'm sorry you felt that way. I would have loved for any suggestions on what you would like to see in the store. Please stop in again, introduce yourself and let me know what you think would work! I appreciate the input! Hope to see you soon!
Linda
10:19 am on Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Not at all interesting.........boring
Petra
4:45 pm on Thursday, March 7, 2013
Interesting enough for you to take time out of your day to comment "Linda". Please come in and introduce yourself and let me know what I can do to make my store more interesting to you. Hope to meet you soon!
Petra
Dennis O'Donnell
11:02 am on Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Petra, while I'm not your target demographic either (I'll mention it to my wife though), I like how you've responded to the naysayers and wish you well in your entrepreneurial venture.
Petra
4:47 pm on Thursday, March 7, 2013
Thanks Dennis! Please do send your wife in- and I am here for you for the holidays, birthdays and for any gift giving!
Best,
Petra
Dinah Sideman
2:48 pm on Monday, March 11, 2013
I happen to agree with Linda, the store is nicer than the clothes and accessories. I can buy that elsewhere CHEAPER!!!!!
Sorry,
Dinah
Petra
6:12 pm on Friday, March 15, 2013
Hi Dinah Sideman,
That too bad because everyone who has come in has told me how unique the selection is. Along with that they tell me how reasonable the prices are as I try hard to find well priced, unique items. Please come in sometime and let me know what you think is too expensive and what you think you can find elsewhere. I am very open to suggestions. I hope to meet you soon!
Petra
Joanie
11:06 am on Tuesday, March 19, 2013
I agree with Dinah Did anyone ever go to Vintage. In Brookline much more of a selection'!!!!!!!!!!!
Lisa
10:37 pm on Thursday, March 28, 2013
Just went to Petra this week and found both the clothes and the owner to be lovely. I ended up purchasing three items that were well designed with a beautiful fit. Petra mentioned that she is also interested in featuring emerging young designers. Good luck Petra and Welcome to Lexington!
GerriR
3:13 pm on Monday, April 1, 2013
I did not have the same experience I found the store much more inviting than the clothes. Quite disappointed !!!!!!
Jane salmon
4:27 pm on Thursday, April 18, 2013
A waste of time to go in there .......not much to look at..........
Adrienna
8:33 pm on Sunday, May 12, 2013
Jane Salmon....you sound kind of "fishy"
Marilyn Mahar Albright
8:29 pm on Monday, May 13, 2013
Petra,
so happy to see that you are doing well. Perhaps one day when i am out that way I will stop in and see your store - best of luck - love you always - Aunt Marilyn