WORCESTER – Stephanie Ramey said that for her bra shop downtown was the perfect fit.
“I can remember for years people saying we deserve a good downtown,” said Ramey, the store’s owner, who grew up in Worcester and Holden. “But somebody has to actually do it.”
The Bra Shop, which was originally named The O Shop, opened in 2021 on Richmond Avenue. In October, the retailer moved to its Main Street home.
Ramey said the relocation, prompted by the Richmond Avenue lease ending and the shop outgrowing the smaller retail space, has been an exciting change for the store and the building.
“I remember being in here years ago and it was all closed off with drop ceilings and no character,” Ramey said of the 303 Main St. space, which is part of the Central Exchange Building, built in the late 1800s.
“And now we have such a fun and feminine store with window displays. I think we can really beautify this corner.”
Ramey, who still works a full-time job with Rucker Investments, said she never expected to find herself in the lingerie business.
“If you asked me five years ago if I was going to be doing this I would tell you, ‘No. You’re nuts,'” she said.
The store’s origin story was quite serendipitous, Ramey said.
The shop owner, who once served as the president of the Worcester Railers, saw her hours reduced during the pandemic and was seeking a new opportunity. The idea of a lingerie shop was already in the works when Ramey pulled over to look at the Richmond Avenue space, thinking it would be a nice apartment for her brother-in-law. Upon learning it was commercial, Ramey decided to take it.
“It really just happened; it wasn’t forced,” she said.
Now, years later, Ramey has expanded to a bigger space, offering a growing variety of inventory.
The Bra Shop sells bras in 150 sizes with band widths ranging from 30 to 48 and cup sizes from A to O. Some bras are more ornate and fashionable, while others are more functional, Ramey said. Other offerings include pajamas, robes, panties, loungewear and personal intimates.
Ramey said she wants the store to be a place where women feel empowered to ask questions and express themselves.
“This will always be a safe space for women, whether they’re looking for something that makes them feel sexy or just a comfortable bra,” she said.
The Bra Shop workers are trained for six months in proper bra-fitting technique, Ramey said, feeling confident customers will walk out with a perfect fit.
“We’ve had women break down crying because they finally have proper back support or they love the way the bra makes their waistline look,” Ramey said.
“You wear a bra almost every day so it is truly the foundation to your look.”
Ramey hopes that the holiday season will see some increased traffic at the shop and in Worcester’s downtown.
“If you want good things in the community, you have to come out and support them,” Ramey said. “That’s vital.”
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