Originally published on hpenews.com. Excerpt below, click here to read full article.
HIGH POINT — Katy Erikson, owner of chic boutique Monkee’s of High Point, may have started a trend by bringing fashion to face masks people wear to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
While closings related to the pandemic have kept customers from her store in the historic Fire Station at 1329 N. Main St., more than 200 online orders for face masks came in Thursday after she posted a couple of photos of masks a local manufacturer repurposed from last season’s clothes and fabric. Another 80 orders came in overnight on Monkee’s website.
“We did not expect the demand,” Erikson said. “My manager, Molly Harris, has been working literally around the clock.”
The idea started a few weeks ago when Erikson’s friend, a doctor at the VA hospital in Asheville, told her she was concerned about a shortage of masks and protective gear for health care workers.
“She suggested, ‘Why don’t you do a face mask with a Monkee’s vibe for everyday people that’s going to be a little bit fashionable or trendy? Also it’s not taking from the health care supply,’” Erikson said.