“I think Karen’s done an excellent job, I really do,”
Altmaier said. “I think she’s brought a necessity here to
Morgan Hill that was missing.”
This wasn’t the first entrepreneurial venture for France.
Only weeks after graduating from the Fashion Institute of
Technology in Manhattan, New York, she opened Karen
Sackel Knits, which provided private labels for Bergdorf
Goodman, Barney’s in New York, and Saks Fifth Avenue.
In addition to her own company, France also worked as
a consultant for a Hollywood costume designer who was
building a knitwear factory.
“I would fly down to Hollywood and help her and then
fly back,” France said.
After taking a 10-year hiatus to raise her two daughters,
Charleigh, 31, and Taylor, 27, France joined the staff of
Carlisle, a high-end women’s fashion company.
“I was consulting and doing direct sales for eleven years,
so I could do it out of the home and be with my kids,”
France said.
It was during this same time she began working at
Scrapbook Island in San Jose, in their mixed arts depart-
ment. In 2012 she began her new chapter in life when she
moved to Morgan Hill.
Considering the vast amount of experience in the world
of fashion and design, it’s no surprise that Mainstream is
really hitting the mark. Since opening the eclectic boutique,
which Altmaier describes as “catchy and classy, but down
home and comfortable,” France has garnered a devoted
clientele including Therese Martin of Martin Ranch Winery,
who is one of her biggest fans. Martin is very familiar with
the shop owner’s work ethic as the two worked together for
over four years at the winery.
“She was amazing, she was awesome to work with, she’s
got unbelievable marketing and merchandising skills and
she was great with the customers,” Martin said. “I think
that Morgan Hill having a clothing store for women of all
ages is important so that we can keep our purchasing local
and support and sustain our local economy, and I think
that she’s a good contribution to that in the aspect of design
and women’s wear.”
Martin predicts Mainstream will be a huge success: “I
really feel that everybody needs to give it an opportunity
to just check in because I think once you go there, you see
how warm and inviting the place is.”
46
GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN
A popular aspect of Mainstream is that it offers
merchandise for all generations. There is no better proof
of the multigenerational appeal than the testimony of
12-year old Charlotte Schofield, better known as Charlie.
“I have absolutely fallen in love with Mainstream
because of not only it’s clothes but also its owner…a kind
and welcoming woman who when you walk into the
store makes you feel welcome,” Schofield said.
Morgan Hill resident Nancy Miller feels France’s
attention to her customers is a key to the shop’s appeal.
“She gets to know the clients and gets to know what
they like and takes that into consideration, she’s really on
top of it,” Miller said.
Mainstream Boutique is located at 1049 Cochrane
Road, Suite 100, Morgan Hill. Hours of operation are:
Monday-Saturday, 10am-7pm, Sunday, 11am-5pm.
Stay up to date with the boutique’s bi-monthly Sip
and Shops, where customers take part in after-hours
shopping and enjoy complimentary sweet treats and
bubbly. Mainstream promotes these events on Facebook
and Instagram. Private styling sessions are available
after hours.
WINTER 2020
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