Hi, Raine!” That’s common to hear from someone passing by 2080 Chestnut Street. That’s also the beauty of a neighborhood boutique: it’s a business that’s involved with the community and develops a personal relationship with its neighbors and customers.

For the few of you who may not know Raine Daufeldt, she is the buyer at Rabat, a local store that has been on Chestnut for 30 years providing contemporary and fashionable clothing, shoes, purses, and accessories.

Rabat originally opened its first location 42 years ago in Noe Valley. Since the owner, Patricia Woody, produced clothing in Morocco and imported directly to the store, she decided to name the boutique after the capital, Rabat.

The Chestnut Street store, at first called Capri, was Woody’s second location. It was originally located in the space currently occupied by the hip and trendy restaurant The Grove. After the 1989 earthquake, the store was moved down the street to its current location. Shortly after that, while in the process of opening up a third location in Berkeley, the Chestnut Street store was renamed to Rabat so that all three stores would share the same name.

Rabat has a unique selection of high fashion clothing with a European edge. Raine selects designs that are long lasting as opposed to simply trendy. And while many of the lines are European, Rabat strongly supports U.S. products and local designers. In fact, many designers were discovered by Rabat prior to going mainstream with their labels. With over 30 years’ experience in buying, including a background with some major department stores, it’s no wonder Raine is able to scout out labels of the future before anyone else. And with new styles arriving at the store weekly, the vibrant window displays are sure to catch your eye.

Check out Rabat for the perfect Mother’s Day gift this month, and as a thank you to all the mothers out there, Rabat will be serving champagne and cookies on Mother’s Day.

Rabat: 2080 Chestnut Street (near Mallorca Way); Monday–Friday 10:30 a.m.–6:30 p.m., Saturday 10:30 a.m.–6 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.–5:30 p.m.; 415-929-8868, www.rabatshoes.com

Alex Feldman is the president of the Marina Merchants Association and CEO of San Francisco Optics. To learn more about the Marina Merchants Association, visit www.themarinasf.com or e-mail [email protected].