Willow St. Celebrates 20 Years in Summit

Willow St., located at 431 Springfield Ave., is celebrating 20 years in Summit this month. 

Employees of the women's clothing boutique agree the key ingredient in the store's recipe for success is its owner, Lezli Salz-Bradley.

"She's an amazing person," store manager Caroline Moskal said. "She makes us all better at what we do. She's our buyer as well as an incredible stylist and great businesswoman. Lezli is all about supporting and empowering other women."

In honor of the shop's birthday celebration, Willow St. is holding a suit and accessory drive to benefit Dress for Success, a Morris County-based non-profit organization that provides interview suits and career development to low-income women in over 75 cities worldwide, as yet another way to bolster the confidence of women. Lightly-worn suits, blouses, dress pants, handbags and jewelry will be accepted through Friday. A portion of Thursday's and Friday's sales will be donated to Dress for Success as well. 

Other plans to mark the special occasion include cupcakes and a pick-a-present giveaway held Thursday and Friday. Anyone who makes a purchase over $75 can select a wrapped gift donated by one of Willow St.'s designers. 

"Our vendors were incredibly generous," Moskal explained. "We have a $400 necklace among the presents."

The Willow St. team is looking forward to celebrating with the Summit community, said Moskal, who added that the boutique's "wonderful clients" are another reason for its longevity.

The weeklong festivities will culminate in a champagne toast given by Salz-Bradley at 5 p.m. Friday. The community, including neighboring business owners, are invited to attend. A grand prize raffle of $500, $300 and $200 gift cards will follow.

Dara Rudorfer, who recently joined Willow St.'s Morristown store, said she, too, is proud to work for such an inspiring woman.

"It starts at the top," she said. "It amazes me how well the business is run. We're like a family." 

The Morristown store, going on two years old, will also be collecting items for Dress for Success through Friday. 

For more information, call 908-277-3334 or visit Willow's St.'s website or Facebook page.