Burnt Sugar

My husband purchased a clutch for me as a birthday gift in December. I liked it but would have preferred something a little different and so for the price point, I decided to return it for something I liked better. The store gave me a receipt and asked me not to lose it, as it was redeemable for store credit.
I kept it in my wallet intending to go back soon, but my wallet (and purse, phone and keys) were stolen when my car was broken into this weekend. I had a mental inventory of things that had been in my wallet, so after all the bank, insurance and credit bureau calls, I got around to making some of the less important calls.
Whoever answered the phone at Burnt Sugar was SUPER helpful. I had kind of thought it would just be a loss and only wanted to make sure no one else has tried to use the store credit; but instead they gave me my credit back and were quite empathetic about my ordeal. With all the customer service interactions I’ve had the last few days, this one really sticks out in my memory as a positive, helpful experience.
I can’t wait to go in and pick out something cute for Spring.

Do you ever wonder how some businesses can afford to pay the rent in Seattle? This is one store that perplexes me.
1. The sales staff are incredibly rude, every time I go in. Last time – I mean the most recent time AND my last time EVER – I popped in to take a closer look at the shoes I saw in the window. I greeted the sales person, walked back to the shoes, looked at them, decided against them, and made my way to the front of the store. I said, «thanks!» to the man behind the counter, who replied, «Uh…you really didn’t spend very much time in here.» Huh?
Another time, I was with a friend who was purchasing a gift and when he asked for a gift receipt, he was treated to a diatribe on how Nordstrom’s return policy is ruining small local business because it changes customer expectations. I didn’t mentioned to her that it’s not just Nordstrom’s return policy that keeps me shopping there, but Nordstrom’s kind, accommodating, friendly sales staff. Unlike (cough cough) Burnt Sugar.
2. This store isn’t very special. It carries a mix of overpriced gifty things. It has a very late-​90s-​early-​aughts vibe – too much glitter, too little style. There’s nothing in here worth WANTING, let alone spending a fortune on. The aesthetic is just… lacking.
3. It’s down the street from several great local shops. I can’t imagine how it stays in business when the alternatives – on the same block or within just a few – are so superior.
So. Is it a front for an underground glitter smuggling business? Or what?

I love this store. I tried on a pair of shoes. The next week, I flew across the country and realized I had to have them. I called and ordered the shoes. The staff was kind and helpful. I’m sad to hear people say the staff is unfriendly. That can ruin a business. I did not have that experience at all.

Still love this store. To all reviewers who complain about being followed around: they sell shoes they get from the back, makeup tucked away until you’re ready to purchase it, jewelry kept under the glass and leather goods under the glass as well. What remains for browsing is only «gift shop» items: socks, cards, candles, scarves. But shoes + jewelry + leather are totally their bread and butter. You can’t shop the store without their help — that’s why they make themselves so available. Are they worried about shoplifting? Well, yes. A small shoe store putting out a wall full of highly resaleable Frye boots would be suicidal — that’s why they don’t? Doing the same with tiny little tubes of make up? Egads. They have to help you or you’ll never be able to try things on or see their wares in person.
When I have asked for help at Burnt Sugar and Frankie, the owner and shopgirls have rushed to have me try on every single thing they were into (until I was dizzy with «you’re letting me try on a $ 1700 guillotine necklace? What if it breaks?»). My sweetie goes to here or hitchcock for all presents. Datapoint: I bought a sterling necklace. it broke the first time I wore it. They replaced it. Lovers of Breton stripes: I own two Breton stiped scarves from here, one cashmere and one silk-​y. Neither was more than $ 100. Their scarves are killer.

I typically enjoy venturing into Burnt Sugar but after a poor experience with the customer service, it definitely left a bad taste after. My sister purchased a ring from them as a gift for my birthday. It was a Roost ring… beautiful. I’ve had it for two years. I don’t wear rings often, but after wearing the ring to work one day, I came home to find the stone had fallen out. All Burnt Sugar could offer was for me to purchase a new ring. I really just wanted help in replacing the stone, which I would have paid for. They said I could go into the store and they would help me. After stopping in, they said there was nothing they could do, so I didn’t understand the point of my going in if they couldn’t help at all.

I like Burnt Sugar. Whenever I’ve in the mood for retail therapy (fancy hipster cards, nice cosmetics and bath products, or maybe a pair of new Camper flats), I swing by Frankie. I like going to little shops like this where the emphasis on cute little items and well made bags. I’ve been allowed to shop without interruption, and the staff has always been helpful when I’ve needed help.
Zoned free parking is a couple blocks away, you can also park in the PCC underground note and walk over.

Awesome selection of great shoes and unique gifts. 3 stars because it’s definitely overpriced and I’m sure they were overly nice to us because we spent a ton.
If you want fair prices, go to Zappo’s. My shoes were $ 50 cheaper on Zappo’s.

AWFUL customer service, but good selection.
I regularly support local businesses, and will continue to do so. However, I will not shop at Burnt Sugar again. The staff is not helpful, and are pained to make a transaction. I thoroughly regret making a purchase there today. Although the selection is good, I do hope people go elsewhere –other stores deserve business far more than Burnt Sugar.

I really like what they sell at this store, but the customer service is terrible. When I visited, the staff seemed to be watching my friend and me as if they thought we were going to steal something; we were certainly not greeted or addressed. I don’t recommend this business when there so many others that will actually act like they want your business.

I do love the merchandise at Burnt Sugar in Fremont. But the people who work there are just not friendly. It’s not a comfortable shopping experience. I went in to find a gift and was looking at various items. The entire time I was there none of the multiple sales people greeted me or asked if I needed help, instead only talking to each other as I was the only customer in the store. I don’t like to be followed around or bothered by sales people but I do like to feel acknowledged and welcome in a store. I left to shop nearby and returned within a half hour to purchase. Again, no greeting, no offer of help. After looking around again I brought my item to the counter. The cashier said two things to me… the price (after which I handed her cash) and then when she gave me back a receipt and I said «Thanks», she replied, «Uh, huh». Honestly, I felt I was sort of putting her out by making her ring something up. If you don’t want to be gracious to customers why work in a store? As there were two other employees standing nearby and looking equally bored I had to assume this was standard customer service. I doubt I’ll be back. Too bad… I live nearby and would prefer to support neighborhood businesses.

HI Cheap people, why are you shopping at small businesses and then crying about it when you find it cheaper elsewhere? Yes, it is true (DUH) small business cannot compete with huge corporations or online stores, because those huge corporations can buy things in such massive quantities and bully people who make things into selling their items cheaper. Don’t listen to these ladies and their low star reviews. I love this store! I want to see this place thrive. The owner is a good buyer and interested in selling things at the highest quality. I cannot believe people go into boutiques and then freak out that things are cheaper at Target or something. You know you can also find designer things at Value Village, that does not make your DVF dress any less special. #superannoyed

This is a weird mix of items. I’m not really sure what this store is trying to be. It is fun to stop by if you are walking around the neighborhood… but I’m not really sure if I’d go out of my way to shop here.
They have cool boots and a huge selection of tights.

I have bought three pieces of Jewelry from this store since 2005 to just last week. If you have ever been in then you know that their jewelry is very expensive. They do carry very unique pieces but the problem is, you do not know or realize that the pieces are not exactly what they tell you they are until you get them home. And then, if you try to return them, there is no way you are getting your money back because the owner insinuates that you bought it to wear it once and planned to return it all along. To give you an example, I bought a pair of earrings for $ 320 dollars. I really liked the stones, and the clerk said the backing and setting was 18 karat white gold. If the earring was really 18 karat gold, my ears would not have swollen up like balloons and become red. I haven’t had that reaction occur since I was a kid.
And another thing that annoyed me about the earrings is that they gave me clear rubber backings with these $ 320 earrings. WHAT??? i am paying $ 320 bucks and you can’t even give me some real gold backings? Real jewelry stores will sell them to you for peanuts.

I went into Burnt Sugar, browsed a bit, and saw a scarf I really liked. It was pricey, but that’s okay; it costs more to have something special, I told myself. Boutiques are different because they seek out uncommon merchandise.
AND THEN. .. I am walking through SEATAC AIRPORT (!) and there is the same scarf for one-​half what I paid at Burnt Sugar. The exact same one. $ 36 at an airport, or $ 77.75 at Burnt Sugar. (including tax)
Now when I see the scarf in my closet I don’t feel special, I feel like a jerk. It just reminds me of how easily tricked I was.
I think I’ll give it away.
I also think i won’t go back to Burnt Sugar.

I came here over the weekend with my cousin. The items in the store are really nice and really over priced. I guess because it is more on the artsy side of jewerly. Be ware the owner seemed very racist and I was being so nice and so was my family. I couldn’t understand why she was being so rude. She was a lady with white short hair. I was assuming she was the owner because she was asking why a person received a 10% discount on an item after looking at the receipt. I was so embarrassed taking my family there to see the items because of the very poor behavior. It is a shame that racism still occurs.

Love this place — they have a little of this, and a little of that — modern, stylish local handbags, shoes, jewelry, French soap, tights, books, cards and more.
Also, they carry chilewich.
Beware the return policy though — you buy it, only get a store credit. Ouch.

Burnt Sugar is one of my favorite boutiques in Fremont. As you walk in you wouldn’t expect the space to open up the way that it does. They have terrific finds here from quirky books to killer shoes/​boots to eccentric and delicate jewelry pieces. I’ve found so many things here for a last minute b-​day present or even a quick pick-​me-​up gift for myself. Check it out!

Fabulous!
I was in on Friday, June 3^rd and purchased a beautiful neclace (with real stones) and a pair of Born Annie sandals in natural/​cream. The sales staff is amazing. Love those girls because they provide valuable opinions and were more than able and willing to help complete an outfit I was putting together. Also, it was just about closing time, and they didn’t rush me — or the other people, out the door. The selection of handbags, boots (!!! Old Gringo and Frye among them), shoes, sandals, accessories is hard to beat. Happy customer for sure.

3.6 stars
so delightful! whimsical homewares and gift items merchandised beautifully
fav finds:
Midori papers — whimsical prints galore
dean leather hobos
Nouba makeup (pure pigment), Mistral & Lollia bodycare
Tokyo Bay watches
Jonathan Adler home

I bought a pair of shoes on sale here a couple years ago and ended up bringing them back to exchange for a different size. The saleguy made a HUGE deal over it. He said that they were a final sale item and so she wouldn’t allow an exchange, even though I wanted the exact same style shoe and the half size up that I wanted was available. With a little pressing I got my way, but he was sure to make a few snide remarks in the process: «I shouldn’t even be doing this… I hope you realize how lucky you are». Seriously, what a jerk!
I continue to pop in now and again because the products are so darn cute, though they are pretty much always out of my price range. I have a moral objection to paying more than $ 5 for a machine printed card so sometimes use their selection as inspiration for my own crafting, and the same goes for their pretty but expensive jewelry.
I stopped by on a whim earlier this week and had an incredibly pleasant interaction with the saleswoman. I was debating about a pair of boots (also clearance and final sale) and she sang the product’s praises but not in a high-​pressure way. I left the store empty handed to think about them and did return within a few hours later to make the purchase. I overheard another saleswoman joking and chatting with another customer as I tried on the boots a second time — impressive considering they were just at closing time and usually people get the cold shoulder to leave so employees can close up shop. No regrets on my boots (I’m still sort of obsessed with how awesome they are), and I was glad to have a slightly improved opinion of the shop’s customer service.

I walked into this little boutique with a friend and we both thought the place was adorable. It sells a lot of high end, made in Italy/​made in France footwear, other European products such as lotions, lip glosses, hair pieces, and odds and ends like bookmarks, books (a few of which I saw at Fireworks and B&N), cards, gifts, etc. I’m not familiar with the brands they sell, though, so can’t comment on the quality of the goods, but they appeared to be high-​quality and well-​made. Most of the things are a little too pricey for me, but I may come back just to browse around for cards or something.

This little store is best digested as; One sugary sweet caramel with glitter!
The bad after taste; Icy sales associates.
Lucky enough this little store can produce itself to have the hipster jewelery, shoes, wallets, and other kitschy cute items that would knock any girlishly gal’s pompom socks off. Be prepared to shovel out the cash as most items are of the higher end.
My only minor gripe (and it seems to be that of many other fellow Unilocalers) is the staff.
I gushed a compliment to either the owner or sales associate to which the only response was just a long blank stare.
One reason why I’d go back: the stuff and décor is super fun to be around.

Well well, this is a little treasure chest in Fremont… of shoes and kitschy things that I like.
I wound up buying a hat only — had I ignored my wallet I prolly would’ve spent a shit ton of money in there and that would’ve been V. V. bad.
But I have restraint… this time.
Next time, maybe not so much.