Tampa Bay native Melissa Lang has loved fashion since she was a little girl, but owning her own boutique seemed like an unlikely dream. Instead, she went to USF, graduated, and entered the corporate world. Her successful career did not, however, erase the impact of her childhood dream, and in 2016 she decided to take a leap of faith. As Melissa describes it, this decision to choose “faith over fear” is where the road leading to the opening of Thread Appeal began.
Loving Our Local Success Stories!
Like many modern success stories, Thread Appeal made its first appearance online. In July of 2016, Melissa launched her Thread Appeal website so she could help women curate and purchase great looks online. Her success (as well as customers’ urgings) prompted an expansion from web-only sales to taking her expertise and product lines to the IRL, in-real-life, world via St. Pete’s great local markets, beginning with Shopapalooza in November of 2016.
As buzz about Thread Appeal spread, happy customers clamored in support of a brick and mortar store. In October 2018, Melissa was finally able to make their wishes, and her own long-held dream a reality when Thread Appeal opened in the Grand Central District on Central Avenue. Since then she has become a valued member of the local retail family, as a Grand Central District Association board member and a proud member of both Keep Saint Petersburg Local and LocalShops1.
Knowing “Her Girl”
Melissa’s biggest goal when she launched Thread Appeal was to have a platform where she could help people create a wardrobe that is versatile, durable, and gorgeous. She wanted to be able to offer quality pieces that could be mixed, matched, and styled so that the woman on-the- go always feels she’s at her best. Melissa has succeeded because she knows her customers. As the boutique’s buyer and owner, Melissa is always on the look-out for those special pieces she knows “her girl” will love. So, whether your day involves a transition from office to happy hour, a kid’s playdate to your own date, or the workday to the weekend, Thread Appeal has the looks for you!
As a lifetime local, Melissa also knows how to style a Florida woman, and luckily she’s not tied to corporate decisions on inventory. Department store chains bring out the bulk when the seasons change, but Thread Appeal understands changing seasons in Florida means layers and changing color pallets NOT massive wool sweaters.
Classic Meets Contemporary
“Knowing” her customers means that Melissa is very selective when curating her offerings. If she can’t imagine herself or someone she knows wearing it, then even if it’s a fantastic piece it’s not a good fit for Thread Appeal. She’s looking for longevity in versatile pieces that are fresh without being too trendy. To achieve this perfect mix of “classic meets contemporary,” she offers an interesting blend of high-quality small-house designer brands from the United States, the United Kingdom, and France at great prices. Thread Appeal also has handcrafted jewelry, shoes, along with unique bags and accessories to complement your look. Plus, Melissa never stocks more than six pieces of any one item so you can be the best version of you, not a copy of everyone else.
Find, Follow, & Shop
Stop by Thread Appeal’s Grand Central District location at 2452 Central Ave and create that perfect wardrobe for you! The store is open 11am to 6pm Wednesday through Saturday and noon to 5pm on Sunday. And good news for football fans: if you stop in on Saturday or Sunday, you’ll find some comfy chairs, adult beverages, and a TV tuned to the games to help pass the time as your partner shops!
Follow Thread Appeal on Instagram and Facebook or visit them online at www.thread-appeal.com to be the first to know about new arrivals and special events. You can also shop online or by phone at 727- 623-9962. Order and then pick up your new look at the store or have it shipped for free. Plus, if you mention you read about Thread Appeal in the Green Bench Monthly, you’ll get 15% off your entire order.
