The Chico's Story

What could be a better complement to a relaxing vacation than clothes that support that easygoing feeling? It’s the kind of souvenir that brings back warm memories but won’t sit on a shelf and gather dust.

Comfort and simplicity is the key to the Chico’s clothing concepts, designed in Fort Myers and sold at more than 600 stores in 48 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.

Founded in 1983 on Sanibel Island by Marvin and Helene Gralnick, who sold Mexican folk art and cotton sweaters in their first store (still in existence at the Periwinkle Place shopping area), the Chico’s women's clothing empire has grown to include The White House/Black Market stores and the Soma Intimates lingerie and nightwear emporia.

Chico’s calls itself “a specialty retailer of private branded, sophisticated, casual-to-dressy clothing, intimates and complementary accessories.” The jewelry alone is worth a visit. There are more than 40 Chico's outlets, and one of them just happens to be down the way at Miromar Outlets in Estero.