While on vacation together, friends Barbara Bradley Baekgaard and Patricia R. Miller noticed the dearth of feminine-looking luggage. Within weeks, they had created a company, named after Barbara's mother, to manufacture and sell their quilted cotton handbags, luggage and travel items.
FAIRLAWN, Ohio - Vera Bradley, the store known for its colorful patterned handbags, luggage, gifts and accessories, will open its second store in Northeast Ohio at the Summit Mall this April.
The shop will open inside a 2,190-square-foot space near the middle of the mall formerly occupied by Build-A-Bear Workshop, between Teavana and Bare Minerals.
Build-A-Bear has moved to a 2,132-square-foot space near Macy's.
View full sizeVera Bradley will open its doors inside the former Build-A-Bear Workshop space this April. Vera Bradley, based in Fort Wayne, Ind., was founded by friends Barbara Bradley Baekgaard and Patricia R. Miller. While on vacation together in 1982, they were waiting for a flight when they noticed the dearth of feminine-looking luggage.
Within weeks, they had created a company, named after Barbara's mother, to manufacture and sell their quilted cotton handbags, luggage and travel items.
As of August 2013, according to the company website, Vera Bradley had 2,800 employees, 79 Vera Bradley stores and 14 Outlet stores. The company earlier this month hired its first chief merchandising officer to "ensure the consistency of Vera Bradley's brand DNA."
"We're excited to kick off 2014 with the announcement of such a popular new retailer," said Kate Miller, area director of marketing and business development for the Simon Property Group-owned mall. "Vera Bradley is such an iconic brand, and we are pleased to have them join our growing list of retailers."
Vera Bradley also has a store at Beachwood Place mall in Beachwood, and a store at Kenwood Towne Centre in Cincinnati.