Mother-son team starts online boutique in Charlotte; New Shops at Target merchants

Here's a two-parter today: First, a mother and son in Charlotte have started an online accessory boutique, called The Accessory Gardin. Second, The Shops at Target has announced their fall lineup of limited-time merchants.

The brainchild of Anita and Evan Gardin, the store sells sunglasses, jewelry, hats, and other accessories. It opened its e-doors early this year.

Anita Gardin had previously operated a small boutique in Lowell, which closed after a year. By moving to an online business, the pair hopes to access a new market, selling goods online without as much overhead. Anita Gardin is picking the merchandise and designing custom pieces of jewelry, and Evan Gardin is handling customer service-related aspects of the business.

Now, on to Target. The Shops at Target is a program offering merchandise developed with smaller, local boutiques. The program kicked off earlier this month with five stores selling everything from upscale dog accessories to men's and women's apparel and perfume.

Each collection of 400 items, or "flight," is available for only a few weeks. The fall flight will feature 230 items from four boutiques, sold in Target stores and online starting Sept. 9. Here is the lineup of stores that will be participating: The Curiosity Shoppe, Kirna Zabete, Odin, and Patch NYC.