Shilling said she is using her 24 years experience managing other up-scale stores in Norman to make her place fun and interesting for her customers to shop.

With many customers who come in once a week to see what new items have come in, Shilling said they have become like family.

While Anita’s does carry clothes, Shilling said her store is really an accessory store.

Shilling hand-selects each piece of jewelry in her store. She said she rarely carries more than one of the same jewelry items. She has jewelry for everyone from 13 year old up.

Elegant bracelets, beads, necklaces, sterling silver chains and earrings, belts, purses and hats make up the majority of her store.

“I hope when someone walks in the door and looks around they are going to find something fun,” Shilling said.

Most of Shilling’s jewelry is priced in the teens and 20s, making it even more reasonable for her customers to shop at her store, she said.

One day recently a woman came in on her lunch hour needing some help with her wardrobe and accessories. Shilling said not only did she find some clothes but her accessories topped off her wardrobe. She went back to work in her new clothes and accessories.

“She comes back every week now,” Shilling said.

Besides providing help with finding the right accessories and the right clothes, Shilling said she also can promise her customers an honest opinion.

“Women appreciate that you’re honest with them,” she said.

That kind of service has been drawing regular customers from Purcell, Blanchard and Ardmore, she said.

“I want ladies in Norman to know that we’re here,” she said. “I think sometimes they take for granted what they have in their own town.”