Badu — Local services in Carefree

Great selection + opinionated owner = you will get things that are right for you. I have read the negative reviews, and I respect those opinions/experiences. If you've not gone to Badu, I would say try for yourself. My friend and I went in for the first time on the recommendation of another friend.

Yes, the owner is very straightforward and tells you right away that she will give honest opinions. It seems that is who she is, and I appreciate that she's clear, and not telling you every thing you try on is "darling" on you to make a sale. There are so many things to choose from. I am a minimalist and at first glance I thought there would be nothing for me in this boutique. I ended up with three pants, three dressy tops and two quality long sleeve t-shirts -- all blacks and neutrals, each with just a touch of flair. My friend who is more glam got six items including a smashing copper sequin top and well-coordinated pants (at the suggestion of the owner, and they looked great) and muted animal print jeans. Prices reasonable and quality is high.

It's true that the main changing "room" is a curtained-off section toward the back of the store. My friend had that one. I tried on my clothes in the storeroom/bathroom which was perfectly clean. The owner correctly read us -- I like to be left to my own devices, and my friend enjoys having more assistance and suggestions.

My advice is to set your expectations accordingly (Ms. Straight Talk vs Ms. Congeniality... to start). and see for yourself. You are likely to find yourself, as I did, pleasantly surprised. In my experience this is the only Carefree/Cave Creek store with sophisticated fashion (there are some lovely western wear stores, but sometimes you need chic). We had been planning to head to Scottsdale Fashion Square for some retail therapy, but we got a late start and our friend told us that Badu is her go-to local boutique. We saved a lot of time and got some very interesting pieces. And at the end of the experience we had really warmed up to the owner and appreciated what...

I came here to leave a bad review, but I see that so many others beat me to it! I walked into the store and the saleslady (owner?) didn't greet me, and stared at me as if I had 3 heads. My husband was with me, and as I walked around the store I heard her ask him "Can I help you with something?" He told her that we were just browsing, and pointed over to me. He noticed that the changing area was just a curtained area in the middle of the store, so he went to wait up front. She then told him that he needed to leave because she had a customer in the changing room. If she is so concerned about privacy, how about building a real room with a door?? I put the dress that I was eyeing back on the rack, and walked out with him. I'm fairly sure it isn't legal in AZ to kick someone out of their store because of their gender.

Even if I didn't think she was such an awful person with awful sales skills, this would not be a place I would have gone back to. They only had 2 or 3 of each item, and from what I could tell they were all tiny sizes. Almost as if she bought closeouts and marked them (way) up.

One star is way too much...

Oddly enough, I have been shopping there for years. Have no idea what has caused the radical change. This afternoon, an hour before their posted closing, I stood with a woman looking at a sales rack on the sidewalk, waiting for my daughter and Grand daughter to catch up. The woman took her choices and walked in. We opened the door ten seconds later and were told in no uncertain terms. We’re Closed. The rack still outside... six people in store...an hour before closing...it will be my last visit. I hope this helps many from making their first. Better than ten years and never left without a purchase. Chairs, wedding gifts, sweaters. Right now...it’s easy to spend money without...