Patrizia Luca is on the move again at Westfield Montgomery mall, clearing out of its most recent space to make room for the upcoming Lego store. The five-year-old boutique has relocated several times, but it’s now returning to the spot where it first debuted — right next to Apple. Which begs the question: In today’s challenging retail environment, how has this local shop managed to thrive where so many others have failed? For one thing, owner Mahmoud Nassaj is a bit of a workaholic. He’s at the store pretty much around the clock, making sure that every customer gets the royal treatment. In addition, Patrizia Luca manufactures most of its own merchandise. “Unlike a lot of places around here, my store never looks boring,” Nassaj says. “When a woman goes to a wedding, she wants to look different — so I only get a few pieces of the same item. And I carry a lot in sizes 8/10 to 16. Not everyone is a size extra-small double zero.” (Want to know more about the Lego store? Check out our Feb. 6th edition.)
