Ruby Cat purrs into prominence

By KATH GANNAWAY
TIMES are a changing in Yarra Glen … and, as you might expect, dynamic mother and daughter team, Tess and Jacinta Birchall, are changing with the times.
Cloth Art, the grassroots ‘hippy’ style clothing business they started 16 years ago has been a great success for them, and for the town, but, Jacinta, said, “We’re changing direction …it’s time to move on.”
In the same vein as their “Black Cat Boutique” in Healesville, their newlook “Ruby Cat Boutique” is about eclectic, some would say eccentric, clothing, shoes and accessories, which are more about individuality than they are about fashion.
“Whatever the trends are, or aren’t, we really don’t care,” Jacinta said.
“We buy what we like and what we know our customers will like and that means very little conservative clothing everything has a point of difference.”
As with Black Cat Boutique, the name is inspired by the other of Jacinta’s two cats … but there’s more!
“Part of it was about creating a little bit of identification between the two stores we are also wellknown for our larger sizes and felt Ruby Cat suggested voluptuousness,” she said.
Ruby Cat embraces the style and labels which have proved so successful in Healesville and which Jacinta said is already attracting approval from local women as well as the tourist market.
Local people will also be pleased to know that, the toy section of the shop will be staying.
“We had planned to do away with it but the overwhelming response from our customers was ‘please don’t’,” Jacinta said.
“So, we’re keeping the toys.”
Ruby Cat Boutique is a sparkling new jewel, polished to perfection by Tess, Jacinta, and team members Insie Olney and Kate Lorey.
Ruby Cat in conjunction with the Mail is giving one lucky reader the chance to win a $100 gift voucher. Simply fill in the coupon below and return it to PO box 470 Healesville 3777 or drop it into the Mail office at 205 Maroondah Highway, Healesville. Entries can also be left at the Mail’s Yarra Junction office.