Sidestreet Boutique — Local services in South Lake Tahoe

I visited today with my 15-year old daughter and felt compelled to review the owner and her team. We had such an AMAZING experience here. We were looking for reasonably priced, but quality sweatshirts to go boating on the lake (which we got for $40 - above with embroidered Lake Tahoe - better than most of the quality I've seen in SLT at almost the same price (~$10 higher, but it will last, and it's COMFORTABLE). While we were there, my 15 year old saw this trench coat by Magnolia Pearl and FELL in LOVE with it - but she asked the price and said, "Oh, that's WAY out of my price range". I mean I have NEVER, EVER bought her a piece of clothing or even shoes/boots for more than $40 clothing; $80-90 boots, and only if I know it's going to last for a very long time). Most of her clothing is $15-30 (and she saw this as way outside of her even basic reality in life). But the design of the coat really caught my eye - it just looked SO MUCH like my daughter, captured in a piece of clothing. I encouraged the staff to help her try it on - she was almost in tears- she did beg using the "my ONLY Christmas" route," but I could tell she knew it was a lost cause. BUT IT LOOKED Phenomenal on her - I remember having one or two pieces of clothing in my life that just made me feel SO HAPPY with my body and myself - and this was just a perfect fit. I caught the staff's eye while she was twirling and paying attention to the mirror and made it clear that I wanted to get it shipped to the house for Christmas. But Annie is an amazing, and extremely obedient kid, and once she took it off, she'd already settled for the $20 sweatshirt she'd selected for the lake instead, so while I was trying to arrange logistics with the staff incognito, Annie was basically returning to me to keep herself from looking at anything else. So I let her know, look, I bought it - I was going to ship it - but it's yours - and she was in tears (and so was I). But what gets me the most is how the staff made us feel throughout the whole event - they NEVER pressured me or her to try it on, or let her try it on, and it was very clear that they were being ultimately respectful of my budget when my daughter had picked out a $450 trench coat. Even AFTER I paid the bill and the sale was obviously won, this team was just SO KIND - SO WARM - I can't imagine having walked away having felt better about such an extravagant purchase in any other situation ever again in my life. But Annie ROCKS this trench coat (she happened to also have on her favorite outfit today, which PERFECTLY matched the look) - and while it would have been worth it no matter what - post Annie promising me the world and modeling for me (when she usually refuses to take pictures, her tears, and recent questions about her body image that I really knew this would improve her confidence on - the experience at the store itself was JUST OUT OF THIS WORLD. And the owner as a bonus, thanked me sincerely more than once or twice for the purchase.

I will NEVER visit Lake Tahoe again without coming back here - but mostly - I just want to thank the owner for carrying something unique, being so respectful, complimentary AND kind, and for making us both feel wonderful while we were there.

If you have a chance, tell them the lady who bought the trench coat for her 15-year old from Magnolia Pearl...

Hey! I’m a “local” from Reno who comes to Stateline often and somehow believed I needed to avoid the stores in this shopping center because I thought they were all way overpriced and touristy. Boy was I mistaken, at least with SideStreet! I looked at wedding gowns everywhere else and then strolled into this wonderful boutique and was floored by how reasonable they were and the gorgeous quality, detail and the sheer variety of choices. Now onto the outstanding personnel…Tara, is such a shining example of intuitiveness! She can tune into exactly what a costumer is wanting/needing — so much so, that at first I thought she was somehow reading my mind! Amazing perceptiveness and an ability to help you feel at ease… even if you’re a nervous and stressed-out bride. (Although I don’t know anyone like that. 😉) The first time I came in to the boutique was with my fiancé and she helped me find a beautiful warm wrap for my gown because it will be a winter wedding. My fiancé was really glad someone could help me with this item so I’d stop panicking over having an outdoor ceremony by the lake. Lol. Second time I came in, I brought the dress I already owned and tried it on with this stunning wrap. I then tried on the gown I had my eye on purchasing from them and asked Barbara (the owner) and Tara and the sweet seamstress for opinions on which one looked the best with the wrap, which I had already fallen in love with. Such a rarity these days, but they all unanimously told me to stick with the wedding gown I already owned as that was the best option. Where do you find integrity like that anymore? I really appreciated how they put my interests first. They could have pushed for another sale. Folks, this speaks volumes about this store. Not to mention that both Tara and I are total animal lovers and afterwards we spent twenty minutes in the parking lot showing each other our favorite kitty photos on our phones. This place will do you right! Don’t leave Tahoe without visiting and if you live here like I do, don’t make assumptions that it’s a tourist trap. NOTHING could be further from the truth. I’ll be back for as long as wearing clothing remains...

During this time of COVID, I like to support small businesses. I went into this boutique today and found a cute jacket and a pair of pajamas. Upon further looking through the store, I noticed that they sell animal fur coats and vests. Lynx, fox, etc. in good conscience, I can’t support a business that perpetuates the inhuman fur industry. The owner or manager was very gracious and understood my position. No problem. It was when I was two stores down that I was literally accosted by the sales person from Sidestreet Boutique. She got up in my face and started screaming at me that “I need to educate myself on eating meat, buying leather, etc.” She was screaming obscenities and telling me that I must be a very unhappy person. It’s my choice on where to shop, not to be screamed at by sales people. Unbelievable she should be fired for such...