Online favorite Retta Jane is getting ready to step out from behind the screen and into the heart of downtown Clayton, with a proposed brick-and-mortar boutique that would double as a cozy wine bar. The concept is pitched as a “sip-and-shop” hangout, pairing racks of the brand’s designs with glasses of carefully chosen wine. First, though, it has to clear City Hall.
According to the St. Louis Business Journal, the plan pinpoints downtown Clayton as the spot for the hybrid space, where the label’s clothing would share the floor with a curated wine program. Specifics like the exact address and opening timeline are still under wraps, but if the project wins city approval, it would add another after-work and weekend option to Clayton’s compact business district.
Designer and brand background
Per Retta Jane, the label started life in the luxury childrenswear lane before founder Retta Tussey expanded into womenswear and interiors. Her local ties extend beyond fashion. A nonprofit profile from Girls in the Know highlights Tussey’s St. Louis-area roots and board service, underscoring that this is a homegrown brand staking a bigger claim on the local scene.
Why Clayton?
Downtown Clayton is small but busy, a tight cluster of offices, restaurants and independent shops that pulls in both weekday workers and evening crowds. As Homes.com notes, the area’s walkable grid, regular events and mix of dining and retail help sustain both lunchtime and after-work traffic. For a boutique that also pours wine, that combination is tough to beat.
What's next
The St. Louis Business Journal reports that the proposal is now winding its way through the city’s approval process, which includes standard municipal reviews and any licensing tied to serving alcohol on site. We will be watching Clayton meeting agendas and permit filings for public hearings or other updates as the project moves through review.
