New place for women to shop
Effie’s Boutique opens in Halfmoon
HALFMOON, N.Y. >> The Town of Halfmoon has a new place for women to shop with the opening of Effie’s Boutique.
Located in a brand new building at 1 Birchwood Dr., near the corner of Route 9 and Grooms Road, Effie’s Boutique celebrated its grand opening on Tuesday at a ribbon cutting ceremony with the Chamber of Southern Saratoga County.
Effie’s is a modern women’s boutique selling fashionable tops, dresses, formal wear, prom gowns, accessories, and shoes.
“I always loved fashion. My passion is putting outfits together for people,” owner Effie Vasilakos said. “Anywhere from casual to evening wear, from the accessories to the shoes - just putting it all together to make someone have a smile on their face.”
This is important to Vasilakos. “Every woman needs to feel beautiful because we all deserve that,” she said.
Opening this local store has been a longtime goal for Vasilakos, who started the project about five years ago when she moved to the area from Montreal, Canada.
Now that it’s finally open, the boutique’s title is a shortened version of the owner’s full name Eftihia, which means happiness in Greek.
Looking ahead, “My biggest thing is that I want everyone coming in here to leave with a smile. Customer service is a key,” Vasilakos said. “Shopping should be fun, and I want it to be fun for all women.”
All of the products are handpicked from Los Angeles, New York City, Vasilakos’ hometown of Montreal and some from overseas. “Every single piece that’s been picked, I like,” Vasilakos said. “I envision different clothes on different people that I know in my family - different body types, different lifestyles.”
The shop owner is also looking forward to building relationships with her future customers. “I would love to get to know everyone and we all get to know each other by first name basis and be more of a community.”
That community is already beginning to grow, as evidenced by the large crowd of supporters that showed up for the grand opening celebration on Tuesday. The group included local officials Senator Kathleen Marchione, Assemblywoman Mary Beth Walsh, Halfmoon Town Supervisor Kevin Tollisen, Halfmoon Town Councilwoman Daphne Jordan and Chamber of Southern Saratoga County president Pete Bardunias, who all congratulated Vasilakos and her family on the business opening.
Effie’s Boutique is now the second Vasilakos Family business at the busy Halfmoon corner. The family has operated Halfmoon Diner, located just across the street, for the past 30 years. “We’re a very closeknit family, and we have a lot of family support, which is the best thing,” Vasilakos said. “I’m very lucky.”
During the ceremony, Vasilakos told attendees that she is very honored and very humbled by the warm welcome she’s received from the community. “It’s a great, amazing feeling,” she said, specifically thanking her inlaws for the opportunity to build the business here and “live this dream.”
Effie’s Boutique is now open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
More information about Effie’s Boutique is available online at effiesboutique. shop, www.facebook.com/effiesboutiqueny or on Instagram @effiesboutiqueny. The boutique can be contacted by phone at (518) 280-0040.