With the onset of spring and all things new, B Social, Gift + Clothing Boutique in St. Augustine offers the perfect outfit and hostess gift.
Owned and operated by Brittney Patty, the store’s clothing aesthetic boasts bold prints and pastel silhouettes designed to spark conversation.
Patty told the St. Augustine Record that every collection is planned months, sometimes a year, in advance. Pieces are curated to tell a cohesive story and styled so customers can easily purchase entire outfits straight off store mannequins.
Patty described B Social styles as “wearable trends perfect for going from carpool to happy hour without changing.”
“Our clothing is feminine and effortless,” she said. “We love prints, bright colors, flowy dresses and flutter sleeves; pieces that feel pretty all on their own.”
While solid-color basics are also available, B Social’s signature lies in statement pieces.
“You can buy solids anywhere,” Patty said. “But when you put on one of our dresses, people ask where you got it. That’s our bread and butter.”
Patty said that she travels to more than 10 retail markets every year to accommodate buyers.
“I go to Atlanta, Dallas, New York and Los Angeles,” she said. “I touch everything because I have to know what it feels like to know if it will work for our customers.”
The same philosophy extends to B Social’s potpourri of accessories such as jewelry, bags and hostess and baby gifts — including the collectible Mackenzie‑Childs line. Whether shopping for yourself or searching for a gift, choices include stadium bags for golf outings, small and large bags for any occasion, polarized sunglasses, reading glasses, water-safe jewelry (earrings, necklaces and bracelets), makeup remover, facial cleaners, hair accessories and more.
Candles, skin care products, perfume, baby accessories, dinner ware, cutting boards, stationery, travel mugs and fun dinnerware are also included among the wide array of products colorfully displayed.
Patty underscored the importance of her branding, from her B social signature (her handwriting) to her bumble bee mascot on reusable shopping bags, “our walking billboards,” that also include the inspirational biblical psalm, “You are fearfully and wonderfully made.”
“Every detail is intentional,” she said.
Patty began her retail journey in 2011 with a A Cut Above Boutique, a hair salon with a standalone clothing boutique. The clothing store was so successful, “so many people were coming into the shop, I couldn’t do hair and check them out at the same time,” she transitioned into just selling merchandise and added a Gainesville location to her Ocala address.
Riding the wave of social media’s early success, Patty garnered almost 300,000 Facebook followers before relocating to America’s oldest city in 2019.
In 2021, following COVID, she became B Social, a boutique where customers can purchase an outfit for almost any occasion while simultaneously purchasing a gift.
“Everyone calls me B, so it felt personal,” she said. “Our branding celebrates being social, finding outfits and gifts when you have places to go, people to see and moments to celebrate.”
The first B Social location in St. Augustine opened on State Road 210, followed by a second store in Palencia in August 2024.
“Palencia is still an infant location,” she said. “And everyone has welcomed us so warmly. “People love being able to pop in, grab an outfit and a gift, and walk out the door without having to wrap a thing.”
A warehouse Patty affectionately nicknamed The Hive opened last summer to support inventory, shipping, photo shoots and store deliveries.
“It’s employee-only, but it’s where everything happens,” she said. “We receive shipments and pallets, inspect inventory, do photo shoots and ship orders from there.”
A branded Sprinter van delivers inventory to stores and doubles as a mobile presence at pop-ups, fundraisers and charity events throughout St. Johns County. Patty said she hopes to one day turn the Sprinter into a full mobile boutique.
B Social also regularly hosts private shopping events benefiting local organizations like the American Heart Association, Knocking Out Breast Cancer, United Way and more.
With two locations, a warehouse and a refined brand identity, Patty is now working on franchising.
“For people who want to own a clothing and accessory store but don’t know where to start, we can offer a proven roadmap,” she said. “From vendor approvals to social media strategy, having a system matters.”
For more information, go to https://shopbsocial.com.
This article originally appeared on St. Augustine Record: B Social boutique in St. Augustine offers ‘wearable trends’ and gifts
Reporting by Lucia Viti, St. Augustine Record / St. Augustine Record
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
