When it comes to business, she dabbles in a little bit of everything, so when additional space opened up adjoining her store on Versailles Road, Purple Haze owner Virginia Bates decided to share her love for variety shops while adding a new facet to her already mixed-use space.
Wittingly named Out of the Closet, Bates' new store offers a 'buy, sell, trade' mentality, and from the looks of the store opening day, merchandise runs the gamut. From clothing of all shapes and sizes, eras and fashions, to bright pink wigs and sassy shades, Bates said she's excited about this new side of her business.
Bates owns Purple Haze, which sells a melange of items; from hookahs to handmade glass (tobacco) pipes and bongs to glass animals and locally made jewelry. Purple Haze also does piercing, and if you frequented Paisley Peacock (before it closed), you might recognize Bob Andrews, who now works the piercing gun for Bates.
"I love that we dabble in a little bit of everything,"said Bates, who grew up in Lexington and is a graduate of Lafayette High School. "I do a lot of different things, I run a travel company, organize a pool league, and now the opening of Out of the Closet. I've always wanted to be in business for myself; I'd rather be my own boss.
Bates opened Purple Haze three years ago with a friend