Holly Doherty, Owner of Urban Vogue

By Carol McCracken (Post # 1,555)

“I used to be very preppy and buttoned up,” said Holly Doherty recently.  “Not so much anymore, though.”  The attractive Doherty was dressed in Urban Vogue, a casual look that she has adopted since her return from California and now sells at her hole-in-the-wall, second-hand boutique at 76 Washington Avenue.  A former Hollywood KABC television anchor and reporter, she’d like to return to tv, but that is not a current option.

The 46-year-old Doherty makes no secret of her past that led her to open this “boutique” that bulges all over with mens, women’s and children clothing.  Most of her life she has had a drinking problem.  It got in the way of her employment as an anchor for KABC televsion in Hollywood, California.  She was fired. But this spring it became more serious.

In May, her then former husband committed suicide. He jumped from a bridge in Lewiston.  Consumed with survivor’s guilt, she turned again to alcohol to cope with her feelings – a coping skill she learned from her father.  She’s recovered from that, but began hoarding instead. That led her to buy excessive amounts of  clothes, books and even adopt pets to fill a need for comfort.  “I did it for comfort,” she said. With prodding from her finance, she realized that she needed to curb hoarding and find an appropriate outlet for it.  Urban Vogue was launched two weeks ago.  Business has been brisk ever since.

“I love clothes.  I always have,” said Doherty.  “I grew up poor.   I  found used copies of “Vogue” magazine and used to dream about dressing like those models.”  Now she likes to dress other people if they are interested in letting her help. She carries  name brands like J. Crew, L.L. Bean and Ann Taylor.  The average price is $5.00.  And she carries all sizes.  She places no limits on size.  “Women of all sizes like to be funky,” she says.

“This is a second chance for the clothes as well as for me,” the vivacious Doherty says wistfully.

Urban Vogue is open most days from 11 am to 6 pm.  She has no web page and you may call her at 776-0323.  Don’t be surprised if you get a cleaning service, but that’s another story for another day!