PHOTO BY JESSICA SINICHAK

Not your ordinary retail boutique, NIQUEA.D, which is expected to open in Cranberry this summer, is the culmination of Dominique A. Schurman’s three decades in the business. 

The CEO and president of the NIQUEA.D, Schurman garnered experience through her time as CEO of her family business — the international stationery giant PAPYRUS. 

Following the nationwide closure of PAPYRUS retail stores in 2020, she founded lifestyle brand NIQUEA.D. Like PAPYRUS, NIQUEA.D offers stationery essentials — greeting and note cards, gift wrap and journals — but adds in home and tabletop décor, baby products, jewelry and gourmet foods. 

“Our products are designed to create moments of pause and reflection, inspiring connection through the intersection of compelling artisanship and personalized messaging,” Schurman says. “This deeply personal expression binds people together in a unique and memorable way, providing an emotional connection that has become the soul of the brand.” 

RENDERING COURTESY NIQUEA.D

At the suggestion of Brenda Mascaro, a Pittsburgh native and NIQUEA.D’s senior commercial consultant for brand development, Schurman chose to open the brand’s first brick-and-mortar storefront in Cranberry’s Meeder Crossroads neighborhood.

She says she intentionally searched for a space that could accommodate larger groups — a place where people could gather, share ideas and foster a sense of community. She found her perfect location at Meeder Crossroads, which besides a mix of different styles of housing, hosts local businesses such as Recon Brewing, Coffee Brake and R&R Hair Salon.

Although the store isn’t open yet, Schurman already is planning to inspire customers by bringing in a life coach, hosting book clubs and offering up gourmet bites at the flagship store.

“Our brand is all about personal connection on genuine relationships, taking a moment to slow down and appreciate the people in our lives,” she says. 

Rob Bowman, president of Charter Homes & Neighborhoods, says he is excited for NIQUEA.D to join Meeder Crossroads, noting he and his company searched for “retailers that really focused on people first.”

PHOTO BY JESSICA SINICHAK

The supportive collaboration with Charter Homes & Neighborhoods is what enabled NIQUEA.D to break the “mold of the traditional mall format that we had done with prior brands,” Schurman says. “You won’t see a traditional cash wrap area.”

Instead, the comfortable space will be more akin to a living room, with a large dining table and cushioned chairs. The light color palette welcomes customers to float in, then sink their feet into the metaphorical carpet.

“It’s kind [of a reflection] of what a home environment would be,” says Schurman. 

Black and gold accents throughout the boutique will complement the array of colorful products, as well as the storefront’s brick facade. There’s also hand-painted murals and motivational phrases that Schurman says she hopes will resonate with customers.

A grand opening date for NIQUEA.D Boutique will take place on a yet-to-be announced date in June. For more information, visit here.