During the past couple of years, downtown Norfolk has been getting a fresh face when it comes to small businesses. One certain business, 318 on the Avenue is experiencing great success during the time is has been open.

Marie Schroeder, Owner, went the University of Nebraska in Lincoln for Fashion Merchandizing and Marketing and fell in love with the fashion side of things. Her husband received a job in Norfolk so Marie thought Norfolk would be a perfect place to start a new business. She started developing 318 on the Avenue a year before opening and officially opened on October 31, 2013.

318 uses a lot of different and unique brands. Marie stated, “It is fun to try new and up and coming brands.” Most of the brands are based out of California or New York. Having such a wide variety keeps it fun and unique and helps keep the prices in a wide range. Having a lot of brands also keeps the styles different so there is something for everyone.

When it comes to choosing the clothing, it takes a lot of work to see what trends will show up in Nebraska. Marie stated, “If anyone if going to try a trend, we want to. We try to be fashion forward. It can be fun but hard to see what the consumer is going to try.” 318 is looking forward to the summer for all the bright colors, floral and other prints.

Currently, 318 does not have a student discount but they do have quite a few sales and other promotions. They have a text club which involves getting text messages with a coupon or discount sent straight to your phone. 318 also has “Ladies Night” sales each season where they have a drawing for gift cards and have special sales. Also they started something new in 2015, 318 will do a give away every month on social media or in store. They use the social media to help reach the people that are far away.

This little store has many unique items that the consumer cannot get anywhere else in Norfolk. If something different is what you are craving, head on down to 318 on the Avenue, which is located on Norfolk Avenue right next to Regency Portrait, go onto their new and improved website, http://www.318ontheavenue.com, or “like” them on Facebook.