Cotton Club Collection owner at home in retail
Jennifer Cunningham knew the moment she stepped into the Cotton Club Collection on San Felipe with her business partner John Maguire, it would be their new retail home.
The pair bought the store in 2017 from Lisa Spain, who had owned the chic boutique since 1989 and retired to a life of travel and golf. The store specializes in luxury casualwear and fine jewelry.
“We had a really good feeling when we visited the store,” Cunningham said. “Lisa worked hard to make it Houston’s coziest boutique. You can find things here that no one else has.”
She would know. She’s spent her entire career in retail.
Cunningham spent much of her youth in Hawaii; her father was a retired lieutenant colonel in the Air Force, and her mother stayed at home. The family moved to Arlington when she 13; her father became a pilot for American Airlines.
She took a job in high school at The Gap, where she learned how to fold T-shirts and jeans with precision. She was hooked.
After earning a degree in marketing from the University of Texas at Austin, Cunningham was hired by the defunct Foley’s department store in Houston and entered its 10-week buying program. She became an assistant buyer, then became a senior buyer for children’s wear.
“I loved the creative side and the financial side of business,” she said. “We were part of May Co., which had a large private label business, so we were writing business plans and handling so many aspects of retail. It was the best experience.”
After a decade with Foley’s, she joined Tootsies as a contemporary and denim buyer; she worked there another decade.
“With denim, trends move so quickly, and customers are super fickle about their jeans. Even now, I know our customers want a great fit and a high rise. But they aren’t into distressed, torn jeans or anything too trendy,” she said.
As with many boutiques, the pandemic has forced the Cotton Club Collection to quickly shift to the web.
“We launched online shopping right after the pandemic started,” Cunningham said. “We’ve sent goodie boxes, offered home deliveries and curbside pickup. We’ve been trying to continue the boutique experience, but it’s been tough.”
Still, there are those who crave retail therapy.
“We’ve been selling tons of tops. I would imagine for all of those Zoom calls,” she said.
Cunningham’s own style is an extension of her boutique. She likes unique pieces; jumpsuits and sneakers are her go-tos.
“I don’t think I could put on another pair of high heels again,” said Cunningham, who is 5 feet 11 inches tall.
She has two sons, ages 16 and 15, with her husband, Gavin. In spite of the pandemic, she continues to work in the store every day.
“My lifestyle hasn’t changed much. I’m still taking in orders, doing bookkeeping. The store is now my third child. This pandemic is teaching us to meet our customers where they are and to be flexible.”