So, your teenager has a birthday coming up and is set on receiving a Ed hardy T-shirt. A trip to one of the local malls is not necessary.
Trends, its business card advertising “clothing and accessories for men & women,” opened about three months ago in downtown Auburndale. And, yes, it does carry clothing and accessories, but most of the store’s merchandise is what the manager calls, “the in thing for teenagers.”
It is a small store with only a window sign identifying its place among the more traditional tenants – a barber shop, gift shop, and graphic designer – that occupies the well-preserved property along Main Street.
Although it does not have a cluttered feel, the walls, a few clothing racks and one glass case are filled with merchandise. And, to the delight of most adult shoppers, it does not have the blaring music often found in this type of establishment.
Along with the Sean John T-shirts, jeans and other items from the Diddy line, Trends sells Ed Hardy swim wear and tattoo T-shirts. Also available at the store are shoes, watches, gold and silver jewelry, sun glasses, and a wide selection of “designer name purses without designer prices.”
Trends opened about three months ago and, according to the manager, Olga Lennard, it has had steady business. She said she was particularly encouraged by the amount of business because, “usually summer is not a good time for opening a new shop.”
The owner, who had previously owned and operated a fine jewelry shop, was influenced to open Trends because of her teenage son, an aspiring actor. Because her jewelry business had been located at the corner of U.S. Highway 92 and Main Street in Auburndale, she was already familiar with the local Main Street market.
