Hinsdale Doings
By Sandy Illian Bosch

STAFF WRITER

A few months ago, the interior of the warehouse at 60 Shore Drive in Burr
Ridge was an expanse of concrete and pipes. But A.J. Canfield looked at it
and saw a home for his stylish new business.

With determination, imagination, hard work and a whole lot of paint,
Canfield has transformed the 8,000-square-foot space from empty warehouse to
an elegant showroom for his huge collection of costume jewelry and
designer-style purses. eye4style opened earlier this month and will
celebrate its official grand opening Saturday, with the public will get the
chance to shop Canfield's thousands of jewelry pieces and hundreds of bags.

While they shop, guests at the opening will be treated to drinks and snacks,
which isn't much different from any other day they might visit eye4style.

"We'll always have refreshments," the 27-year-old said.

Canfield wants to offer a unique, upscale shopping experience, from the
quality of the merchandise to the cookies and lemonade the shoppers enjoy as
they find that perfect necklace or favorite purse. But he says his customers
will never pay upscale prices.

"I buy factory direct," he said, and passes his savings on to his customers.

Canfield, a graduate of Loyola business school, brings a background in condo
conversion to his latest venture.

"What brings me to this business is my love of starting something new,"
Canfield said, but it's his experience of growing up in a house full of
females that gave him the know-how to get it done.

"Sharing a room with three sisters, you learn something about what women
like," said Canfield, who welcomes the advice of his siblings and girlfriend
when it comes to choosing things for his store. He searches the world for
the latest styles, along with classic looks, all at prices far below typical
retail. He has bags from Italy, chunky wooden necklaces from Latin America,
and freshwater pearls that are nothing but top notch.

"I reject a ton of merchandise," Canfield said.

But he's found plenty of earrings, watches, necklaces, bracelets, belts and
bags that meet his standards.

"It's the selection that's staggering," he said. "There's a lot of stuff in
here."

Canfield anticipates that small boutique owners will be his primary
customers. eye4style is a place where the independent shop owner can
carefully select the pieces she wants to offer her customers without having
to buy a dozen or more. Here, a shop owner can buy a single item or as many
as needed. Soon, Canfield's entire inventory will be available via the
Internet, at www.Eye4S.com, but the showroom gives store owners and the
public a chance to see and feel what they're buying.

"They like to get their hands on it," Canfield said.

That includes the public, who are welcome to shop three days a week: from 10
a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Another thing Canfield learned from the women in his life is popularity of
the home shopping party. He's offered his own take on it, by opening his
store to groups of 20 or more for an evening of drinks, snacks and shopping.

Canfield already has held fund-raisers and office parties in his showroom,
and he anticipates showers, birthday parties and ladies nights out.

"I buy the wine, I buy the cheese, I clean up after you," he said. All the
guest has to do is bring her family and friends in to shop. He's guessing
there won't be any shortage of women willing to do take him up on his offer.