Photo by Ed Waters, Jr. Jackie Lamothe has opened Neccessories at Westview Promenade. The shop is designed to offer what women need the most in attractive, practical items from handbags to stationery.

As area director for Business Network International and with a background in operating a store, Lamothe said she really started in earnest to open the shop about 16 months ago.

Using her BNI contacts, an e-mail survey and talking with people on the street, she asked "What every woman needs is ..."

"Ninety-six percent said a handbag, so I have plenty of those. Second was jewelry," she said.

Lamothe said her shop focuses on four areas: beauty, home, fashion and organization.

"Everything in here is practical," Lamothe said, noting the myriad of items in the shop. "I'm using demographics and see professional women in their 30s as my main customer. We don't want dustcatchers and knickknacks, we want stuff we can use."

Neccessories offers a wide selection of fashionable products, including handbags for day and evening wear; scarves; local and imported bath and body products; and jewelry, such as earrings, bracelets and watches. Also offered are decorative throws, tabletop items, serving pieces and other unusual but functional home d?cor items, and upscale office and organizational supplies, portfolios, attach? cases and Caspari holiday and event-related cards.

Even before she opened, Lamothe was getting suggestions on what to carry and particular lines such as Caspari and Aromatique. "And I have a lot of monogrammed items, from stationery to towels and mugs."

Her background includes owning a gourmet deli in Fairfax, Va., and a gourmet coffee shop, "before Starbucks was even around. I know how to run a business."

Lamothe formerly worked at Antique Imports and Flights of Fancy, and played an important part in helping her sister launch the Frederick Coffee Co. in 1994.

Her vendors include those she met at gift shows, as well as connections in Italy, where she has traveled and has friends.

Neccessories is open 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, until 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and from 12 to 5 p.m. on Sunday. "And I know the value of being in a store when the sign says it is to be open. You have to be here."

Lamothe's business plan is to eventually open 10 Neccessories shops. "I'm starting small with this, only 700 square feet, but I see more shops in the future."

While she loves downtown Frederick , Westview Promenade offered easy parking, and Neccessories is the only shop in the center to offer her selection of merchandise.

"I was going to the movies here and when I came out I thought, 'Wow. This is the perfect place.' It is a woman's shopping center with Chico's, Ann Taylor Loft, White House/Black Market, other shops for women."

For information, call 301-810-5046 or visit at www.theneccessories.com.