Razzle Dazzle celebrates silver anniversary
Its clothing is as colorful as the people who own the store and the way it does business, and this month it celebrates its silver anniversary.
Razzle Dazzle, a women’s boutique at 1335 Cape Coral Pkwy., celebrates its 25th year in business this month.
Cathy Sangiovanni – who, along with her sister, Gloria Tate, is a Cape Coral “pioneer” and husband Ralph have run the store from the beginning. It began as a result of Cathy’s love of clothing.
“I was infatuated with clothing and jewelry and it was the time when hand-painted clothing was popular. So I started a store as a hobby,” Cathy said. “There suddenly came a need for that kind of stuff in Cape Coral, and we started to develop a clientele. So, I expanded the store with a line of updated cruise and resort wear.”
What makes Razzle Dazzle different is that it offers clothing and items you don’t find in the department stores. The colors are amazing and there is so much to look at and try on.
“It’s like a candy store without the calories,” Cathy said.
Cathy said she listens to her customers, who have said they want American-made clothing and the most personal service possible, dressing you from head to toe.
“Customer service is our most important feature here. Whenever someone comes in she’s greeted within the first 30 seconds and told how important they are,” Ralph said. “Eventually, they are no longer clients, they become part of the Razzle Dazzle family.”
The Sangiovannis love to spoil their “family” with frequent fashion shows at different locations and Girls Nights Out to be more than just a clothing store.
Razzle Dazzle did just that on Tuesday, offering a table of cheese, wine, a fashion show on the sidewalk, vendors including a massage therapist while John Michael Jewelry and Envy Salon had extended hours, creating synergy with other businesses.
Most important, the served as a fundraiser for Sharon Smith, an 18-year employee at Razzle Dazzle who has ovarian cancer and non-alcohol liver cirrhosis. There were 50/50 raffles and other things to raise money for her.
“She’s a single mom with two children. We started a Fundme account for people to make donations,” Cathy said. “Her insurance doesn’t cover everything, and we’ve continued to pay her for the past few months. She’s like a daughter and the customers love her. She never has a bad day.”
The real secret, Ralph said, is the ability to adapt to change, which the clothing industry does constantly. Seemingly by the day.
“If you remain one thing you become stagnant and you lose sight of what you’re doing. We go to markets and bring in the latest things,” Ralph said. “The main focus is we single out as many American products as possible.”
Razzle Dazzle has entrances on Cape Coral Parkway and the public lot in the Town Center. It is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For more information, call 945-7549 or visit the website razzledazzleboutiqueshop.com/
To contribute to the store’s efforts on behalf of Sharon Smith, visit www.gofundme.com/2f6f4s7c .