DC Store Lures In Guy Shoppers With Beer, $200 Jeans

WASHINGTON, DC (WUSA) -- The reviews are in and a new local store is turning guys into shopaholics.

Shopper Kevin Lee sees Lost Boys in Georgetown as a fun hangout. "It's cool. It's loungey, it's fun."

Lost Boys regular Mitchell Schear has similar feeling. "It's different. It's cool. It's fun."

What's setting the men's store apart from the pack? It could have something to do with the free beer that Lost Boys hands out to shoppers. It offers bottled water too along with sodas this summer and the occasional spirit.

Shopper Marc Helman says that's just part of the appeal. "Whether it's scotch or beer or something like that, it helps you relax. It's more of a friendly atmosphere, rather than, how can I help you, what size are you, what do you need?"

Another feature getting rav reviews is the personalized service provided by the owner of Lost Boys, Kelly Muccio. She says "it's not just about offering them a beer. It's about making them comfortable. Whether its picking out the perfect outfit for them or offering them something to make them comfortable while they are in your space."

An industry watcher thinks small business owners should take a lesson from the creative thinking at Lost Boys.

Scott Krugman from the National Retail Federation says "it's a stroke of genius. It creates a friendly environment where they are going to hang out. They are going to buy clothes. They are going to lounge around." And he says the longer people stay in a store, the more likely it is that they will buy something.

Despite opening up during a recession and high price tags like $200 jeans, the place is packed. According to Muccio "business has been great."