The Bra Lounge
Posted: Wednesday, January 4th 2012
“The Bra Lounge” has been a cornerstone business of Red Deer’s Downtown since it first opened in the lower level of the Imperial Block building on February 1, 2007. The vision of sisters Cortney Murphy and Sheena Johnson, The Bra Lounge has become one of Red Deer’s most respected locally owned and operated businesses.
Cortney understood the need for a fine lingerie boutique in Red Deer, and recruited her sister Sheena to help her establish a shop that helps women live their lives to the fullest by keeping on top of the newest fashion trends, industry standards and customer expectations.
Setting up “The Bra Lounge” in the downtown was always the goal, because of the centralized location in the city, and the close proximity to other upscale, trendy shops that Cortney and Sheena felt they needed to be close to. After almost 3 years in their original location, they moved into a building twice the size of their first, in their current location. The shop is found on Alexander Way, just off of Gaetz Avenue, and would like to remind everyone that they have an easy to access shop, with lots of parking nearby and free parking in the lot in front of the store.
The staff of “The Bra Lounge” includes 2 full time and 1 part time staff person, all Central Albertan raised, and all who understand the needs of the women in the area. They are open minded, compassionate, and focused on providing quality products and services to the women who shop at “The Bra Lounge”.
“The Bra Lounge” is a special business not only because of the high standards they hold for the products they carry, including mostly European brands that have been in business for decades, but also because they focus on giving customers “The Ultimate Bra Shopping Experience”, focusing on competitive prices, one of the best selections in Alberta, and one on one personal service. “The Bra Lounge” staff works to build a relationship with every customer who comes in to the store, and gets to know their customers favorite style, brands, colors and size. They have a small town feeling, with a big city selection, and the customers love it. The staff also have created lasting relationships with industry representatives, which helps them gain insight and knowledge on trends, styles, and new products.
The ladies of “The Bra Lounge” especially love it when they have clients who otherwise do not frequent downtown come into their shop, so they can tell them to go try the coffee at The Bistro on Gaetz, or check out a new dress at one of the many boutiques in the downtown. They love helping people realize that they are downtown shoppers.
When asked why they do what they do, Cortney and Sheena explain that on a monthly basis they will have a new customer come in the store, who has struggled with poor fitting undergarments, and ends up with tears of joy at the physical and emotional transformation that comes with getting a new, proper fitting bra. They have had small women who have never felt sexy in a bra speechless at their new look, and larger women who thought “grandma bras” were all she could buy find gorgeous, flattering sets that they cannot wait to show their husbands. They help women after reduction surgeries or lumpectomy/mastectomy surgeries emotional at the thought of finding a bra that makes it look like they haven’t had surgery at all. They get to know these women’s struggles and frustrations, and watch them become overwhelmed at what they can offer. They know the daily grind of being a wife, mother, business woman, caretaker…and they love accommodating women who appreciate their products and service. The ladies from “The Bra Lounge” will stay with their customers though every life experience, from the teenager needing her first bra, to the grandmother who needs something comfortable.
Cortney and Sheena would also like to express their gratitude to the Central Alberta community for the support and encouragement they receive. “Creating the relationships we have been blessed with has allowed us to build our business through integrity, compassion and focus’, explains Sheena. They believe in supporting the community that supported their dream, specifically through their group Motherless Daughters of Central Alberta. The group has a special place in the hearts of Cortney and Sheena, who lost their mother as teenagers. That life experience has dedicated them to helping other teenage girls coping with the same loss. Reaching out to offer hope and encourage girls to stay positive and make healthy life choices is their focus, as they understand the stress and pain they endure.
“The Bra Lounge” has become a well known and respected name in the Central Alberta community, winning awards for customer service and helping hundreds of women along the way. They are facing their fifth year now, and are very proud to have become a staple to shopping in Red Deer.
If you have any questions about “The Bra Lounge”, phone them at 403-347-3774.
