By Henry Luzzatto

Correspondent

New clothing store Fashion Flair held a ribbon-cutting ceremony last week to celebrate its opening.

Even though the store began operating in May 26, when the owner, Kenya Lee-Gray, found out that the city could provide a ribbon-cutting ceremony, she jumped at the opportunity.

“It was awesome,” Lee-Gray said. “It made it so much more special to have the city involved.”

Lee-Gray had special sales and prizes to celebrate leading up to the day of the ribbon-cutting.

Lee-Gray said she decided to open a clothing store after nearly 20 years in the retail business.

“I’m bringing all my passion and experience to this store,” she said.

Fashion Flair, Lee-Gray’s first business, offers clothing for young children, girls and women, as well as plus sizes, accessories and shoes, she said. The store emphasizes “new, trendy styles,” Lee-Gray said, including different options for work, school and going out.

Lee-Gray said that she orders the merchandise, runs the store and interacts with customers on a daily basis.

“I am basically my only employee,” she said.

Lee-Gray hails from Chesapeake, but she has called Suffolk home for 10 years. She said she loved the city’s charms and decided it would be a good place to open a business.

“I just loved Suffolk,” Lee-Gray said.

Many members of Lee-Gray’s family attended the ribbon-cutting to support her. Her husband, Carlton Gray Jr., her father and her children all helped, which, she said, made the event very special.

Vice Mayor Leroy Bennett and Councilman Lue R. Ward Jr. were also in attendance.

Fashion Flair is located in the shopping center at 1008 Portsmouth Blvd. They are open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.