New sports boutique offers activewear on the Avenue

Posted 1/6/12

by Paula M. Riley The New Year brings a brand new sports boutique to the Germantown Avenue business corridor. Indigo Schuy, at 8432 Germantown Ave., provides comfortable activewear apparel and …

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New sports boutique offers activewear on the Avenue

Posted

by Paula M. Riley

The New Year brings a brand new sports boutique to the Germantown Avenue business corridor. Indigo Schuy, at 8432 Germantown Ave., provides comfortable activewear apparel and accessories.

Created by the husband-and-wife team of Steve and Schuy Nunn, Indigo Schuy’s collection features local and nationally recognized activewear clothing lines.

“We spoke to many yoga instructors, runners and other athletes,” Schuy said. “We did tons of research and found high quality, super-soft, and very cool lines you can’t find in the larger chain stores. We also try to support American owned and American made products.”

These product lines include IamBeyond Yoga and ALO. Both are based in California and use organic cotton. Indigo Schuy will also carry T-shirts and other products by Two Paper Dolls, a Main Line business, as well as Skirt Sports.

A local trainer told the Nunns about Skirt Sports, and it appealed to them because they were designed by a female triathlete who was tired of “looking like a boy” while working out. Like so many other items in the shop, Skirt Sports products are fun, comfortable and designed by athletes for athletes.

Both Steve and Schuy are extremely athletic and enjoy running, tennis and yoga. Schuy has competed in three marathons, the Philly Triathlon and more than a dozen half-marathons. Since there are so many active people in the Chestnut Hill community, opening this type of store made great sense to the couple who live in Wyndmoor with their two children.

"We've been considering starting our own business for a long time,” Steve said. “This business plan not only serves our own interests but also fills a need in the community."

Chestnut Hill Retail Recruiter Eileen Reilly couldn’t agree more.

“Indigo Schuy is the perfect example of what a new retailer should be – they listen to their customers,” Reilly said. “Her inventory will constantly evolve depending on what the customers want because she recognizes that the store is not just her business but it’s the community’s business.”

Schuy explained that their boutique is not just for athletes.

“Our products appeal to people who enjoy yoga, running, tennis and other sports,” she added, “but really anyone who wants to look and feel good in comfortable clothing will find something at Indigo Schuy.”

Most of the clothing products available at Indigo Schuy are for women, but they also carry a small selection of men’s and children’s items. Their merchandise includes running items such as the popular 13.1 and 26.2 magnets, (illustrating the distances in miles of a marathon and half-marathon), and Maui Jim sunglasses as well.

Schuy particularly enjoyed the process of selecting and displaying the running products with her ninth-grade daughter Avery.

“This is very much a shared family experience,” Schuy said.

Steve handles the online store, computer systems and other administrative functions. Schuy, who spends much time at the shop, is responsible for the buying and retail side of the business. The high school sweethearts have been married for 15 years and also have a fifth-grade son, Alex, who helped set up the boutique.

Prior to opening Indigo Schuy, Steve worked in real estate development and Schuy was a stay-at-home-mom. She has experience as an elementary school teacher and a retail buyer. Since their children are older now, and based on the Avenue business climate, the Nunns felt that this was an opportune time to open their boutique.

“We love Chestnut Hill and we are thrilled to bring something positive and fresh to the community,” Schuy said.

Like so many new business owners in the area, they credit Reilly for her support and encouragement, “She has been with us the entire way,” Steve said.

Reilly loved their idea a year ago, calling an active-wear boutique on the Avenue a “no brainer.” Based on their sales during their soft opening in December, the Nunns are very hopeful for a great business.

“We want to bring to this town what people want,” Steve said. “Yes, we hope they enjoy our product lines but know that we will keep tweaking this as we go along. We will listen to our customers and deliver just what shoppers want and need.”

Reilly believes this will be the key to their success.

“She is constantly polling active shoppers to see what they want,” Reilly said. “Her product line will reflect the community desires and not just hers.”

Indigo Schuy will hold its grand opening from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 7. There will be many giveaways and raffles. Guests will enjoy free chair massages, fitness demos and a special champagne toast at 5 p.m. Visit and ‘like’ the Indigo Schuy page on Facebook to be entered into a raffle for an Indigo Schuy gift certificate. For more information contact 267-437-2958.

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