Jessica Herman

Savoring the high from their recent grand opening, the ladies of Plein Aire (2036 West Division) stand behind their brick and granite-top counter, sipping glasses of white wine and opening Ziploc bags filled with the latest shipment of Pozzo's chunky stone necklaces.

"We're the non-boutique boutique," says co-owner Jill Carroll, satisfied that her four-week-old store lives up to its title (which means "fresh air" in French). Beneath lofted ceilings, the room is dressed in light wood floors, with skinny vases of tulips suspended from the ceiling and a basket of bottled waters resting beside the central couch.

Customers will find the price range, relatively low compared to many of its neighbors, a refreshing change. Basic cotton tees by Wish cost around $18 and a strapless cocktail dress stitched with cutout flowers goes for under $100. The mix of designer denims is peppered with Silver jeans for $68-$78.

Don't get too distracted by the lemon custard and mellow mango spring palette, sequined peasant skirts, hand-painted silk halters or shiny gold leather jackets. There's a fine-looking entourage of jewelry in back, largely dominated by By Boe earrings adorned with clusters of vintage beads and the sterling silver hook-esque hoops oft spotted on Cameron Diaz's lobes.

In the process of parlaying their careers as Chicago-based flight attendants into retailers, the co-owners explain how being cross-country shoppers will help them to diversify their collection.

"Every flight attendant knows the best place to shop in every city," says co-owner Jacquie Barrios. Perhaps their former co-workers will be adding a new place to the list.

(2005-04-26)

Also by Jessica Herman

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Fashion Salvation
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Open for business
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Tightly Knit
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The Sensuous Woman
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Fit to Print
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Dancing with myself
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