Garbolino Boutique — Local services in Providence

The owner of Garbolino was SO rude and unhelpful that I will never return to this store, nor recommend it to anyone I know. My goddaughter recently gave me 3 gifts from Garbolino - 1 for Christmas, and 2 for my birthday a few days ago. All items had the original tags, were in a Garbolino box, had Garbolino tissue and were in a Garbolino shopping bag. Unfortunately all 3 items were too small for me, so I checked the website for the business hours and drove 2 hours round-trip -- only to find the door locked, and no sign anywhere to indicate that hours had changed. I called the store, left a voicemail, and received a call back the next day. The owner told me the store was closed the day I went because she had a Dr. appointment, and I said I understood that emergencies come up. I told the owner I needed to exchange a GIFT I had received. She never mentioned anything about needing the original receipts (who has original receipts when it's a GIFT)? Today, I called the store first, was told they'd be open all afternoon, so drove another 2 hours round-trip. The owner said she knew I had called but only after I was there did she bring out their exchange policy outlining requiring original receipts. Again, I told her they were a gift, and all original price tags were on the items (nothing was crossed out on the prices) and that simply needed something that FIT ME in exchange. I gave the owner my goddaughter's name because she no doubt used a credit card, but the store owner rudely told me how she'd have to pour through receipts in the basement to find out when my goddaughter bought the items, because she wouldn't know what she paid for them, if they had been on sale, etc. Typically stores cross out prices on the tags for sale items, and I mentioned that I just saw one of the items on the Garbolino website for FULL price. Then the owner said she remembered my goddaughter and that she had purchased the the items last June ?!?! -- and she kept insisting I "work with her" by trying my exchange items ON for her (as though I don't know what fits me?) Then she tried to get me get me interested in buying additional pants to go under a dress I needed to return because it was too short for me! Trying the items on again in the store was absurd - I just needed different sizes, or anything else in the store that DID fit me. She kept implying that my goddaughter probably didn't pay the full price on the tags so in frustration, I even offered to have her exchange for HALF the cost showing on the store's tags (even though her after-xmas sale was only 20% off). Then she suggested I LEAVE the items with her and "when she had time" she'd see IF she could find the original sales tickets, and I could come back. By this time, I had been treated so poorly that I had no intention of making a THIRD 2-hour round-trip back to the store. From decades of shopping in boutiques across the country (and world) I have never encountered a store owner SO rude and uncooperative. BEWARE if you buy a gift from this store to give to someone on their birthday or a holiday unless you warn them to IMMEDIATELY return anything that might not fit AND even though I feel that's quite tacky -- give the person you're giving a gift to all of your original receipts. Had the owner told me after I wasted the first 2 hours driving to/from her store that I needed the original receipts, I could have saved myself the SECOND 2-hour round-trip! For a small business, the customer service and attitude was very unprofessional. At this point, I'd rather simply donate the 3 items of clothing than to ever step foot in that...

I wasn’t going to write this as I know one bad review for a small shop can be devastating, but after reading that several other customers had a very similar experience to mine, I decided it should be shared to potentially save others the trip to this boutique. When I initially walked in the owner was friendly, and was up selling her products as any retailer would. There was one jacket I absolutely loved and tried on, thinking I was probably going to get it. After battling it out with myself I realized I should really be saving the money for other things, apologized to the store owner, and hung the jacket back up. Immediately after, the woman stopped engaging with me and went to go work with another customer. My aunt was in the dressing room trying something on, so I sat in the chair right outside of the room. I was barely sitting for five seconds before the owner told me she “needed that chair to work with a customer” (for all she knew I still was one, I just wasn’t getting that jacket. There was also another unoccupied chair right next to the other dressing room, there was truly no reason for me to have to be out of that chair). As I was walking away she repeated that she needed the chair to “work with a customer” and told me I could stand by the “place where people hang out” near the window. She was very dismissive, rude, and I will certainly never be buying from this store. I wouldn’t recommend this boutique, especially if you’re just...

This boutique is a hidden jewel. I discovered it a few years back when dining on Federal Hill. What caught my eye was the window display of trendy clothing. Since then, I have made this my “go to” for new items every season. In fact, I visited last night for the fall and bought 5 items I love!! Monique, the owner, has over 25 years of experience in fashion. She personally hand selects all of the clothing from well known designers all over the world. Everything in the boutique is one of a kind that you will never find in department stores. When I visit Garbolino’s, it feels like I have my own personal shopper who knows my style and what looks best on me. From amazing jeans to dresses and tops, there is a full array of new and exciting items to chose from. It is reasonable priced for the quality and there are promotions that make you want to splurge if you join their loyalty program. I highly recommend you come in and browse next time you are looking for something special. You will not be...