Downtown Port boutique, new owner ‘a great fit’

Taking over Pear and Simple, a boutique  gift and clothing shop in downtown Port Washington, was the product of years of experience across the beauty and fashion industry, owner Lauren Finegold said.

“People always say every job led me to the next, but in this case I really think so,” she said.

Finegold, who is originally from Fox Point, said she fell in love with customer service when she worked at Boston Store at Bayshore Mall when she was 17.

There, she learned the basics of retail but also appreciated getting to know her regular customers, she said.

Later, when she lived in Madison, Finegold said, she worked at the boutique A Stone’s Throw, where she gained experience in buying and stocking products.

While studying communications with a minor in ethnic studies at Edgewood College, she did an internship with GAP in Nashville before working at Bonobos to help open a store, she said.

Eventually, Finegold said, she got a postbaccalaureate degree from  Mount Mary University in fashion merchandising studies.

Most recently, she worked for Wantable, a try before you buy online store, first for the style and then the supply side, Finegold said.

“It really set me up for working with vendors, buying for the season and finding what customers want,” she said.

All these skills in customer service, management and fashion combine to be “everything to set me up for success,” Finegold said.

Finegold found out that Pear and Simple founder Melissa Suddendorf was selling the store because she has been a customer since she moved to Port two years ago.

“I’ve shopped here ever since I moved,” Finegold said. “The staff has always been so welcoming. That’s been a fun full circle moment, to be able to work with them.”

Finegold said Suddendorf’s support also made taking the leap easier.

“Shes been a huge, huge support system throughout this process,” she said. “If it wasn’t Melissa selling, I am not sure I would have done it.”

All the pieces fell into place, Finegold said.

“I’ve always had a dream of opening my own boutique, so I thought this was the opportunity,” she said.

Suddendorf said the timing also felt right for her to step away from Pear and Simple.

“I started it 14 years ago. It was a long run and it was successful, so I thought it was a good time,” she said.

Suddendorf said Finegold seems to be the right person for the job.

“I think she’s a great fit and she’s committed to being a part of the community,” she said.

Finegold said she plans to keep the store “very similar,” but is considering expanding the children’s clothing selection and adding a men’s section.

She also added a personal touch to the dressing rooms.

“One of my hobbies is interior decorating and design, so I revamped our fitting rooms,” Finegold said.

The shop depends upon established customers, Finegold said, and she’s enjoyed meeting many of them over the last couple weeks. 

However, she said, tourism in Port also hugely benefits the shop.

“Right now in the summer months we have so many people come in from out of state. I’ve even had people from the East and West coasts,” Finegold said. “Last week, someone from Pennsylvania said they came to Port because they googled ‘cute Wisconsin town.’”

Finegold said her family, including her husband Dan and daughter Livi were drawn to Port because of its downtown and multiple beaches. Dan, she said, can often be found surfing at north beach.

Her first two weeks owning Pear and Simple, Finegold said, have been incredible.

“I want to thank all the customers and staff here. It’s been so fun meeting everyone,” Finegold said. “It’s been a super warm welcome.”