Biz Buzz: It’s Hip to be Round owner optimistic about West Broad Village

Opening a second store is challenging enough for a retailer looking to expand.

But throw a troubled shopping center into the mix and stressed-filled nights are sure to follow.

That is what has happened to business owner Anne Kennon, who owns the maternity fashion boutique It's Hip to be Round.

Ever since founding the Carytown shop in 2005, she has wanted to expand into western Henrico County to reach customers there.

She did two weeks ago. The new store is in West Broad Village off Interstate 64 in Short Pump.

The store is in the center portion of the development, across from the aloft hotel.

West Broad Village has been plagued with problems attracting retail tenants, a fact that Kennon is very aware of.

"It's a little scary," she said. "But I believe all the problems are going to be worked out and this center will end up doing well."

Kennon's faith is not based on blind optimism. West Broad Village has had some successes with several restaurants opening and with solid leasing at the apartments on the property.

The retail component is improving a bit with discount home-décor chain HomeGoods opening later this month and Recreational Equipment Inc. (known as REI) opening next month.

It's Hip to Be Round carries fashionable maternity clothes and accessories for pregnant women. Kennon also operates Marbles, which sells children's clothing inside the It's Hip to Be Round stores.

Kennon is confident that It's Hip to Be Round can build a loyal following there.

"Richmond is very segmented," she said. "Fan residents are fiercely loyal to Fan businesses. I think we can develop the same here."

The shop already has customers from western Henrico who shop at her Carytown store, which she hopes to capitalize on.

"Some of those people come in once or twice a year to buy something specific, but I think we can get them to come in every couple of months," she said.

The West Broad store is about the same size as the one in Carytown, but the new shop is on one floor.

Chemo solutions

Planet Hair on Cox Road in Henrico is carrying a line of products to help cancer patients going through chemotherapy.

The salon, which has been in business for about 14 years, began stocking wigs, hairpieces, headbands, hats and turbans about two weeks ago.

Owner Cheryl Tankersley said several doctors who are clients told her there was a need for the service in the community.

Tankersley said the wigs Planet Hair carries are of modern cuts. Each wig is individually fitted for customers in a private area set aside in the salon.

The private area is decorated to make customers feel at ease during the fitting process and has seating for family and friends.

"It's a devastating thing to go through," Tankersley said of the effects of chemotherapy and losing one's hair. "We try to make them as comfortable as possible."

She said some clients who buy wigs also get hats or headbands to wear at home.

Tankersley hopes to hire a cosmetologist in the next several weeks to help customers with skin issues that develop during chemotherapy.

Ross opens stores

Discount clothing retailer Ross Dress for Less opened two stores in the Richmond area last week.

One store is in the Colonnades West Shopping Center on Cox Road and West Broad Street in the former CompUSA location. The other is in the Towne Center Plaza on Midlothian Turnpike in the former Bloom Bros. Furniture store just east of Chesterfield Towne Center in Chesterfield County.

The chain has two other stores in the area -- one in the Shops at Willow Lawn and the other in the Village of Swift Creek off Hull Street Road near state Route 288.

Rocketts eatery

A second restaurant is set to open at Rocketts Landing.

Currant, A New American Bistro, will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. It is scheduled to open on the first floor of Rocketts Landing's 210 Rock building this fall.

The 3,000-square-foot restaurant will have a dining and bar area that seats more than 60, a coffee bar and patio.

The Boathouse at Rocketts Landing opened in August.

Contact Louis Llovio at (804) 649-6348 or . Follow him at http://twitter.com/RTDBizBuzz.