New Business Opens On Downtown Ironwood's Main Street

IRONWOOD, MI - Thursday, July 22, 2010 - Downtown Ironwood's main street has a brand new business - The Purse Palace. Located at 132 East Aurora Street, between Hitt's Fine Furniture and the Olde Suffolk Ale House, the new store is owned and operated by Lisa Delich, Wakefield.

Just in case you don't know, Delich is the daughter of one of Ironwood's legendary retailer, Mike Rosen. Rosen was well-known as a prominent businessman in Downtown Ironwood, running Sally's Shoe World for over 36 years. He passed away in 2005.

Lisa worked in her father's shoe store for many years, beginning when she was just 9 years old. She's been in sales all her life. She, along with her husband Delich Sales, in Wakefield, so she's no stranger to the business world.

She recently purchased her new downtown storefront from the Mullineux family. She said she'd been eyeing the building for some time. She checked out the building four times, but she couldn't  bring herself to purchase it because, before Chris Mullineux had it remodeled, the building was in poor condition. She said Mullineux did a beautiful job remodeling it, and she finally decided to buy it after seeing the improvement.

Lisa lived in the Ironwood area most of her life. She moved to Cloquet, Minnesota when her parents divorced, graduating  high school there. When she turned 18, Lisa returned to Ironwood to work in the shoe store with her father.

They say that good things come in small packages. The Purse Palace, being only 700 square feet, proves it! The boutique is filled with trendy, quality purses, accessories, and shirts. There's something for just about everyone, and the prices are very reasonable. Lisa is very sensitive to today's economy, and she's been very careful to provide her customers with quality merchandise that is affordably priced.

"I want my store to stay 'boutiquey' looking!" Delich told the Chronicle, "I want it to be an asset to the Downtown. I want people to say, 'Oh this is a shop you don't see everywhere! I didn't want to compete with Walmart or K-Mart. I wanted to carry a quality line, but not something that out-priced me -- something people could afford. "

"I think it's looking good and people are always asking people for ideas," Delich said, "And what do you want in here that we don't have?" She said the customers have been really good about telling me.

Delich's daughter, Brittany, and neice, Taylor, both help out at the store. Lisa said they were very instrumental in getting the store ready to open. They worked very hard decorating and cleaning, Delich said.

While conducting this interview, business was very steady. One customer said, "We noticed the new store and we wanted to come and look! We'll pass the word on!"

Her friend said, "It's nice to have something new in town!"

When asked what made Delich decide to go into the purse business, Lisa replied, "I used to sell bags and shoes with my dad down the street. We had a pretty good bag business there, but that was 30 years ago - when accessories weren't the way they are now.  I used to tell my dad all the time, 'Why don't you put more purses in?' And he'd say, 'Lisa, we're a shoe store!'" She said the old shoe store was floor to ceiling shoes, and her father wasn't about to switch gears and start selling women's handbags.

She said when she purchased the building she realized it wasn't big enough to sell shoes, but she knew there was a market for womens accessories, so she decided to specialize in them. "It doesn't matter how much weight you gain! It doesn't matter how you look or whatever. You can always hang a bag on your arm and wear jewelry and feel good!"

When asked if she was optimistic about future Downtown growth, Delich said, "One store, and one attitude can make a world of difference! You don't have to have 100 people to change things! One or two or three people can change the whole dynamic of something! Good things spread."

The Purse Palace is chuck full of beautiful accessories. No knock-offs, but things for all ages. The merchandise is top quality. The store has a very good return policy. According to Delich, "If you have a problem, bring it back. We'll give you a new bag! We'll do whatever. We accomodate whoever shops here. It doesn't matter if you break something, we'll work with you. That's how we work! I won't sell it if I don't stand behind it!"

The store is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. They accept personal checks and all major credit and debit cards. There telephone number is (906) 932-8110. Delich is in the process of launching a new consignment resale website at www.palaceofpurses.com. During the winter months (January, February, and March), Delich explained, Downtown Ironwood's business traditionally slumps. The website will initially feature items that are in the store, but will later allow consignment sales of vintage and designer (high-end) bags.

The Chronicle would like to welcome The Purse Palace, Lisa Delich and company to Downtown Ironwood.  There is little doubt that the new store has already peeked some interest. It is quickly becoming a destination within the Downtown. Do yourself a favor and check it out - it's worth the trip!