Beautiful store, gracious owner, high prices and excellent quality. Definitively the place to go if you go to splurge in that high end cashmere sweater of that vaporous dress you won't find anywhere. What i like of this store is also the layout, you can enter from 2 different doors and just browse and enjoy every single piece. Some time ago I had the feeling that Alys Grace was a store for 'women of a certain age'...maybe I have arrived to that age and there is few things that I don't like in there. read more

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I have to drop my rating for this store. For the second time in two months, my adult daughter and I came in to purchase clothing and both times we were completely ignored by the employees. On the most recent occassion, we were the only two in the shop yet not one of the three employees greeted us. I even stood next to the counter in front of two employees and it was as if my daughter and I were invisible. I believe one of the employees was the owner. A group of three women walked in and were immediately converged upon. They were told about a sale and asked if they needed help. My daughter and I stood appalled at the flagrant favoritism as we continued to be ignored. My daughter and I both realized that the three women were dressed in designer outfits, while my daughter and I were dressed in comfortable shorts and t-shirts. I spend between $2000-$2500 A MONTH at stores like Nordstrom, Bloomingdales and Anthropologie (yes, I love to shop). I also wear clothing from Target. Whether I have my designer bag in hand or a Target purse, I would hope to be treated like a valued customer. I used to love to give my money to small boutiques like Alys Grace, but after the way we've been treated the last two times, we will not be returning to this location or their other stores. read more

I have never seen such immature, mean and petty woman working a store in my life. The boss is a witch, and they all gossip about one another behind the cashier desk. One time I heard them gossiping about a a young girl that worked there and went to school with my daughter (who is very sweet!)! I haven't personally met the owner, but I am sure she is unaware of what horrific woman she has hired. I was trying to find a dress for my wife, and the short/plump/rather ugly manager was busy railing on an employee for not helping an older woman try on jeans that she didn't even notice me. The woman who was trying jeans, ironically, seemed like she was having a perfectly nice time. I left. My wife went back another day to try on the dress she saw online, and you will not believe this! The manager just stripped in the middle of the shop and tried on the dress with her! (so uncomfortable)! Like my wife said she saw her bra and fat all over the place, and just wanted to leave but she was being so pressured to buy the dress from the manager. It was almost desperate. Just overall such an odd place, and very unpleasant. Would NOT recommend. read more

How is this store in business with such horrible customer service? I was looking forward to browsing this store with my daughter. Also I love the name! As I walked in I saw three employees talking with each other at the check out counter, talking about their weekends. As I get to the middle of the store, one of them finally looks at me and says hello. That's it. I start looking thru tank tops and one of the racks. I overhear one of them talking about new arrivals "Have you seen this new shirt, I love it" to each other, without looking over at me. There was one other woman in the store too, and they let her walk around without saying anything either. Businesses are competitive around here, and a 'how can I help? What are you looking for?' And a friendly smile go a long way. read more

Wait a damn minute here ... I can't believe I dropped this ball - I haven't written a review for one of my TOP Boutiques!!! Sorry y'all ... I started becoming a regular when Alys Grace was temporarily located off Chestnut Street (i think that's the one) when they were going through renovations and rebuilding after a fire. I fell in love quickly with their wide selection of jeans, tops, cozy cashmere sweaters/wraps and scarves and plenty of wonderful and creative gift items (for yourself or if you are so inclined, others)! Linda started helping me from Day 1 and I am still amazed at how quickly she remembered my name. For this loyal girl, that is a HUGE PLUS! All the women here go out of their way to remember their customers, make you feel special and always work with you to make your shopping list work! Love it! Flash forward to today and Alys Grace is back in their original location across the parking lot from Draeger's. Welcome home! I've done some major damage of late - even though I've told myself to go *light* this Holiday season, a girl must have her things ... I popped in the day after Thanksgiving and left with some gorgeous items - including my truely unique and very NYC twenty8twelve (Sienna Miller's clothing line) utilitarian-like jacket. Love. Love. Love. Okay so I am hesitant on writing about my new art obsession that only Alys Grace carries ... I'm hesitant because I want to be unique. Original. And I KNOW all you lovelies will want the Sugarboo Designs in your houses, apartments, condos, offices ... To die! I can go on & on ... But I will end here. Go. Shop. Be Merry. Tell the lovely ladies at Alys Grace HI. read more

Menlo Park is Awesome because of Niquey the store manager! Not only is she friendly, but has great follow through when special ordering items in a very timely matter. I planned on purchasing one pair of Caddis readers, but now own 3 Thank you Niquey for the latest color My favorite by far! You are a darling girl and a great asset to Alys Grace they are soooo lucky to have YOU! read more

Another downtown Menlo Park boutique gem, although I have yet to buy anything. I feel like this place caters to more of the 30s+ crowd. Maybe someplace I'd come back when I'm a hip mom, and if I haven't already spent all my money on making my kids look hip. What they carry: Michael Stars tees, Joe's Jeans, Milly, Alice+Olivia, Parker, Hoss, Cynthia Steffe, Corso Como shoes, etcetera. Friendly workers and nice store display, but not the first boutique I'd go to when going to downtown MP to shop. read more

What a cute store. I came in the other day with a friend and we both found things that were to die for. She got the most amazing fitting pants and I found a belt that was exactly what I had been looking for! Beautiful cashmere sweaters and accessories. Workers were nice and very attentive and honest. read more

I really like the one in Los Altos so I was happy to see that there was one close to my new home in Menlo Park. The low rating is due to the poor customer service I received or lack there of. I wanted to try on shoes, but the two ladies didn't really care to help. After waiting around, they told me they didn't have my size so I left my phone number to have them call me about availability. One week later...still waiting for that phone call. read more

I have only been in this boutique once, which was today. My husband purchased for me a blouse and a necklace, each about $300, on 12/23 just before leaving town to meet me for the holiday. Neither of the gifts was my favorite, and when I saw what he spent on them (the price was left on the blouse) I decided to return them. He said how the sales associate had been so nice, and that she emphasized that the items could be returned. My teenaged son who was with my husband at the time of the purchase heard the same thing - you can return it if it doesn't work out - so I anticipated having no problem getting his money back. Well..... Today is Jan 9. We returned to town last night, so my first chance to think about returning the gift. However, one of my kids is home sick and has been throwing up - so I called the shop to ask them how long I have to return the items - they said that they actually don't allow returns, only store credit, and that usually they have a 10 day exchange policy, which they have extended to 14 days for the holidays. And 14 days after Christmas was yesterday, Jan 8. So I was told that unfortunately I missed the deadline for obtaining store credit. I explained that this was the first day that the local schools were back in session - and I further explained that I had a sick child at home, and I asked if they could make an exception. The good news, and the reason for 2 starts vs. 1, is that they did make an exception, and I was given store credit for my husband's purchase. The bad news is that even though I explained that my younger son (age 7) was ill, and that he literally had recently been throwing up - the store clerk said that I had to bring the items in today. She said, "if it's really bad, call us back and maybe we can extend it" - I said, "well I don't need to call you back - I can tell you now that it is really bad" - and she said, "well hopefully he will feel better before we close? We are open until 6pm." The clerk seemed startled to see me walk in a couple of hours later with my pale fragile child, and seemed even more startled when I asked my son to try not to throw up while she helped another customer. I explained to her that I really didn't want to put him through the trip, and that us being there couldn't really be good for them or for their customers either, but that I felt I had no choice other than to keep 2 expensive, unwanted items. She said, "well I remember telling you that you could call us back if it was really bad" - and I said, "And I remember telling you that I didn't need to call you back - it was already really bad". One other piece of positive feedback - the store is lovely and the merchandise, from my limited viewing of it, appears elegant and stylish. And there was no expiration date for the store credit, which was welcome news (I believe this is also CA state law). My son didn't throw up on anything so the store is still lovely - but just know that if you buy something you had better love it because getting your money back is NEVER AN OPTION - and getting store credit may also prove challenging. read more

Alys Grace is my go to place for cashmere sweaters and scarves! While the cashmere is pricey, I find the selection to be beautiful and well made, not any of that thinly knit stuff, but good quality cashmere with interesting patterns, and ultra feminine. I have checked out their blouses, which I find to be over the top expensive for what one can get elsewhere for the money, so I don't buy anything here other than their cashmere that they offer. I appreciate that they offer a discount on one item during one's birthday month, so you can bet that I always pay Alys Grace a visit then for sure. Staff has always been welcoming, but not in my face intrusive, so they strike a good balance, without being pressuring. read more

2 stars because the selection is great - beautiful, quality clothing. The customer service, as other reviewers have mentioned, is awful. I went in yesterday and was ignored the entire time I shopped. Not even a glance or "hello" from the person behind the counter (the owner?). Instead she spent the whole time listening to two other customers as they gossiped about how their friend was getting a divorce and her husband was marrying the ex-wife of a silicon valley billionaire. Warm feelings all around. As I walked out the door, the person behind the counter shouted "THANKS" at the back of my head, across the store. You're welcome. read more

This downtown boutique makes up for the other poor quality shops in downtown Menlo Park. This is the go to place when relatives and friends are in town. I have purchased some jewelry, scarves and tops / tanks by Michael Stars. Love it! The ladies in there are very helpful and pleasant. read more

The window display drew me in. A meeting was canceled and I had a few extra minutes, so I thought I'd take a look. Alys Grace has its target market nailed and offers a well-edited selection of clothes for middle class+ middle-aged+ women who prefer fashion over frump but don't want to borrow their teen daughters' clothing. You're not going to find anything here that you won't find elsewhere; the labels are big name national lines vs local designers. But that's okay, as everything fits a certain aesthetic, which may or may not align with your personal taste. I don't remember the last time I got such bad vibes in a boutique. There were only three other shoppers, and the sales associate was glomming on to one of them and could not be bothered to smile and greet me. Maybe she'd already decided that I wasn't going to buy anything -- a self-fulfilling prophecy, as there were two pieces I was itching to try on. Instead, after a few minutes I walked out. I would really rather give my business to a local boutique. Too bad they make it so hard! read more

Alys Grace is full of beautiful pieces, and even more beautiful human beings as employees! Thank you Tiger, Kate, Laura, Linda & Betsy for being so truly AWESOME! Miss you guys...open a location in SAN DIEGO!!! :) read more

What an attitude! Walked in with grandson in stroller to look around. Salesgirls gave me the once over and went back to talking with a friend who was in the store. Not hello, welcome, look around, can we help you. Cute clothes but won't go in there again. I'll go to Holly Hill or JigSaw or even the Menlo Park store before I will give my business to Burlingame Avenue store. Just a word of advice IF the store even checks reviews - don't judge a book by it's cover. You made a costly error, ladies. read more

Having lived in Chicago for the last 4 years, I am a big fan of boutique shopping if I want to pick up a unique piece for a special occasion. I am definitely a loyal customer if I get great service. I walked into Alys Grace for the first time in January 2011 and I had an unfavorable experience back then. Not one single employee in the store greeted me (just asking for the basics here, like a simple "Hello" or "Can I help you find anything?" and a smile) and the place only had a few customers inside. I came back again in July 2011 to give the store a second chance and had the same experience, only this time it was much more humorous. Again, I did not have a single employee approach me so I decided to very politely seek out some assistance on my own. The woman who I approached provided neutral customer service and was not at all interested in helping me find something special. On both occasions, I definitely felt a strong pretentious-vibe here. read more

How do they stay in business? I've been in there many times and my presence is rarely am acknowledged. ...because they're too busy selling stuff to their friends. Good luck staying in business! read more

Walked in and started browsing. There were two other customers in the store and one of them was in the dressing room. Never was approached with any kind of greeting. It's as if I was invisible. I was in the store for a total of 15 minutes. You would think management would teach their sales staff about the importance of GOOD customer service. Scratch this store off my list. read more

Go to place in the area for basic quality clothes, where casual or work outfit and also last minute fixture for a night out, if you need a basic black silk dress or jeans. The owner knows why she is there and she has put together a nice collection , In trend from reputable America brands. So won't be charged extra for shopping foreign brands . Nice place . Always check the back. read more

Very friendly employees and an eclectic mix of well curated clothing styles, accessories and home items such as candles and diffusers. I live down the street from Alys Grace and I find it a simply a pleasure to shop there, for myself as well as selecting gifts for others. read more

This is a really nice little boutique in Menlo Park. They have a nice selection that crosses generations and the staff is extremely inviting and helpful. They have some pretty decent sales too. read more

I wish my mom lived nearby and could shop with me. Shopping at Alys Grace, however, is as close to that experience as I can get! Friendly salespeople who always remember my name, great selection, and attentive service. Alys Grace is the antithesis of a department store. I love the edited assortment that includes both basics and edgier pieces. How do I stop myself from popping in every time I'm on Santa Cruz, though? read more

I had about 30 minutes to browse/shop late one Saturday afternoon. After waiting a good 15 minutes for a dressing room to open up, I left out of frustration. The 3 stars would have been 4 stars were I only rating the merchandise as I had several items I hoped to try on. I do plan to give it another try. read more