Urbandale's Newest Boutique Opens in Cedar Ridge Shopping Center

Even if you are not now, nor will you ever be funky, you might enjoy Urbandale's newest shop for trendy women's clothing and accessories.

opened early in April in the Cedar Ridge shopping center, right next to .

The two stores share a common clientele — women 30 and older — said store manager Stacy Sullivan, a lifelong Urbandale resident and former owner of the Sisters clothing shop in the Cedar Ridge shopping center.

This is the second Funky Zebras shop in the metro area. The original store is in Ankeny, said owner Cheryl Hayes. The store bills itself as carrying trendy clothing, accessories and shoes.

"I think it's really taking off," said Hayes. "We would love to open more." 

Seven Stores in One

Funky Zebras operate on a different business model. One store hosts several different vendors or businesses. They share the rent and overhead, but each vendor is responsible for stocking and managing her own inventory, said Sullivan.

The Urbandale store carries merchandise from three shops in central Iowa: Cornerstone in Pella, Bella Boutique in West Des Moines, and Fusion in Clive.

In addition, the store also carries jewelry and handbags from VOB (Vision of Beauty), GG Marie of Kansas City for "our really, really blingy jewelry," and shoes through Pin Oak Galleries in Waukee.

Sullivan said the Ankeny and Urbandale stores carry different merchandise and appeal to different shoppers. The Ankeny store offers more merchanidise that would appeal to teenagers and younger women, she said.

"We don't really want to carry the same look, so people can shop at different stores," she said.

The business model "works because we have different taste levels. Different price ranges. Different looks altogether," said Sullivan.

After Hours

The other thing the stores offer are after-hours "diva" parties. Someone can book the store for a couple of hours after regular business hours. The store provides appetizers and drinks and the women can come and shop and socialize.

Sullivan said a percentage of the sale either goes to the party organizer to spend at the store, or to a charity of their choice.

Many women are booking such parties to raise money for their favorite cause, she said.

The Urbandale Chamber of Commerce will have a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the store at 4:30 p.m. Monday.