Known for well-made, brightly-patterned clothes and distinctive ruffled blouses, Liza Byrd Boutique is a favorite among Baltimore’s preppiest residents. For nearly two decades, the boutique’s owner Liza Jarrett has honed her design skills and keen eye for color and pattern. Today, she has a loyal following in Baltimore and beyond.
Here, Jarrett dishes on the story behind the shop, what her weeks are like, and which products she loves as gifts:
BFB: How did you get started at Liza Byrd? What made you open the shop?
Liza Jarrett: My business started 18 years ago and has evolved from a small furniture and hand painted home accessory business to a ladies and girls ready to wear line with a unique twist.
I had been a buyer for Merry Go Round stores – I bought dresses for 1,200 stores. We had an in-house design team, so that’s where I got the foundation for clothing and what I do with design.
BFB: You have multiple locations and also show your products at a lot of shows. What is a typical week like for you?
LJ: My weeks are spent running from place to place. I meet with my seamstress twice a week and manage my Richmond location, shipping new inventory twice a week. I am in and out at the shop in Stevenson Village and the weeks when I am on the road participating in trunk show events are spent loading merchandise, setting up show location and sales at the events on the road.
Additionally behind the scenes, I am continually working on our overseas production, keeping up with marketing and planning next season’s out of town shows.
BFB: Why did you choose Stevenson Village as a location?
LJ: I chose Stevenson because it is convenient to get to, lots of parking and a wonderful shopping environment without the hassles of mall locations.
BFB: What is your favorite thing in the shop right now?
LJ: Our ruffle collar tops. They are such a statement piece and available in two silhouettes.
BFB: What is your go-to holiday gift recommendation?
LJ: Our pompon cardis in three colors–a great shape and flattering on many shapes and sizes.
BFB: How do you choose what to carry in the shop?
LJ: The clothes we carry are our designs with inspiration coming from anything and everything.
For accessories and other gift items, we select affordable and whimsical items that complement our lively patterns and whimsical fashions.
Liza Byrd is located in Stevenson Village, at 10435 Stevenson Road in Stevenson, MD. For more information, visit www.lizabyrd.com.
