![Frankie's Southport location, 3708 N. Southport Ave., will host its grand opening celebration on Saturday.](http://assets.dnainfo.com/generated/chicago_photo/2015/10/frankies-southport-1444261735.jpg/extralarge.jpg)
SOUTHPORT CORRIDOR — Whether it's an emoji-adorned pajamas or a glittering party dress, the newly opened Frankie's Southport has what every pre-teen has been begging you for.
Just a block south of Blaine Elementary School, Frankie's, 3708 N. Southport Ave., offers a perfect combination of comfortable and cool, co-owner Rae Lisenby said.
"We tried to make it a special place where they can come and feel comfortable. They don't want to shop at the baby stores anymore, and there are a lot of 12-year-olds who cannot wear kids clothes anymore," she said.
Lisenby has managed the Frankie's in Lincoln Park since it opened in 2008. Five years later, Frankie's opened a store in Santa Monica, Calif.
The front half of Frankie's Southport has adult women's clothing, which Lisenby said is "aspirational" for the pre-teen girls as they graduate from the kids section. Trendy brands like Free People and Wild Fox are front and center — cozy fall sweaters and flannel among the top items for the fall season. That includes one-piece pajamas, also known as adult onesies.
"Kids want a little funk. Not every girl wants to wear pink, so whenever we have options for things, we choose green, we choose turquoise. Everything isn't so girly and conservative," she said.
![Rae Lisenby has managed Frankie's On The Park in Lincoln Park since it opened in 2008. She now runs a newly opened Southport Corridor location, as well.](http://assets.dnainfo.com/generated/chicago_photo/2015/10/rae-lisenby-1444261877.jpg/extralarge.jpg)
While the store opened Sept. 1, a grand opening celebration Saturday will include free Coalfire pizza and Candyality custom cotton candy. Frankie's will have goodie bags and a photo booth for customers to enjoy.
"I'm really noticing how everyone wants to work together. I live here and I know a lot of the business owners, and you walk in and they say, 'Yeah, we want to help,'" Lisenby said.
That neighborhood feel is a big part of why Lisenby and fellow co-owner Lisa Burik chose the location. Despite ending up on the pricey Southport Corridor — home to national brands like Gap, Anthropologie and Francesca's — Lisenby said the rent north of Addison Street was more than "reasonable."
"I try to shop on this street whenever I can — I don't want to have to go into my car and drive anywhere," Lisenby said. "People support the neighborhood businesses."
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