New San Luis shops specialize in perfume, handbags

Euphoria, Perfumes and Accessories; The Purse, Handbags and Accessories

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EUPHORIA, PERFUMES AND ACCESSORIES

SAN LUIS, Ariz. - Liking and buying perfumes is very important for people.

And Ivan Valdez, owner of Euphoria, Perfumes and Accessories in San Luis, Ariz., has specific ideas about what kind to buy and wear.

"Perfumes are chosen depending on the occasion; if you're going to a formal event, you can't wear a fragrance that has no presence, you need something intense."

There are also different fragrances for the seasons, he said.

"In the summer, citric, fresh and dry scents are recommended; almost all brands have their summer and winter fragrances. For winter, it is recommended the woodsy, intense or sweet ones."

Ivan and his wife, Elizabeth Torres, have been selling perfumes for seven years. But now Valdez is pursuing a new strategy by employing loyal customers as independent distributors who are interested in starting a business of their own.

By making a purchase of $500 in merchandise, they receive from Valdez a membership card, support and a monthly list of the fragrances that are available.

"You have to be alert to what is coming out, and it is necessary for them to have at least one fragrance," he said. "When giving a gift or buying one, several factors be considered such as the occasion, the person's age and the season of the year.

"I like the customer and the distributor to leave here totally satisfied with our service (and), above all, with the purchase," Valdez said.

Euphoria, Perfumes and Accessories also offers women's accessories such as earrings, necklaces and bracelets that complement the fragrances it sells.

Customers will stand out not only for their good choice but will also smell nice, he said.

The store is located at 1950 E. Juan Sanchez Blvd., Suite L, in Plaza Riedel in San Luis, Ariz.

Hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. For more information, call 722-6070

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THE PURSE, HANDBAGS AND ACCESSORIES

SAN LUIS, Ariz. - Angelica Zamora was motivated by other women's attraction to shoes and handbags.

So motivated that she opened The Purse, Handbags and Accessories shop in this border city.

"I like women to look beautiful, to be happy - for them to like my taste and for my business to work," she said.

The shop has been in existence one year.

"The idea to start the business came up because I felt I had too much free time in the afternoons. I thought I could take advantage of it, and up to now, it has worked out for me."

As its name implies, the shop also sells women's accessories such as perfumes, watches, purses, belts and slippers, but Zamora wants her business to be identified as a place that sells handbags.

"The handbags I sell come from an Oriental company that imitates the styles of the famous brands. There are bags with styles for all tastes and ages. I have even noticed that when a mother comes in with her daughter, the girl is looking for a purse herself. That is why I decided to also sale for girls."

Zamora says she is satisfied with the shop's growth in its first year.

"I did not know everything that involved setting up a business: protecting the investment, restocking, paying attention to the advertising, the accounting and the licenses.

"Despite all of this, the business has delivered more than what I had in mind. My sister and my mother work here and they also benefit.

"I feel very pleased by the return customers. The other day, one of my customers told me she had bought a handbag and a purse here that she had liked a lot, and they were stolen. But she said what she missed the most wasn't the documents in them, but the purse and the handbag themselves."

The Purse, Handbags and Accessories is located in Plaza Riedel, on Juan Sanchez Boulevard in San Luis. Hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information call 722-7242.