Ellington Native Wins Two Boutique Of The Year Awards
FARMINGTON- After more than 400,000 votes were cast, Laura Belle Boutique of Farmington was recently named Boutique of the Year and Best Children’s Boutique in Missouri by shoppers!
The Boutique Awards is the only global recognition event for independent boutique retail owners in the fashion industry, hosted by The Boutique Hub.
The Awards recognize and celebrate the best boutiques across all 50 States in the US, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom, in the categories of Storefront Boutique of the Year, Online Boutique of the Year, Children’s Boutique of the Year, Mobile Boutique of the Year, and State or Country Overall Boutique of the Year.
The awards celebrates retail at a unique time, when many are dubbing a current retail apocalypse, however industry trends show a strong upswing in the boutique retail market.
The Boutique Hub, the global voice and Hub of the Boutique Fashion Industry, cites one of the strongest boutique markets in history with new boutiques opening daily across the globe, and established boutiques posting some of the strongest sales to date. The Shop Small movement is certainly alive and well as big box retail dwindles.
Since opening in May 2016, McLean can’t help but feel proud of all her hard work. She says, “I’m Laura Belle – nicknamed that by my grandpa Dawson when I was a little girl.
I chose the name for my store because it makes me smile and I think it’s friendly (as I hope I am) and makes you want to get to know me and my store. (Gee, I hope I’m right!)
My name is Laura McLean and my husband Jon and I have two boys. They have really cool names that have terrific stories about why we chose them. But, you’ll just have to come into Laura Belle to find out about them!
As I write this, my oldest is 3 . and my youngest is about to be a year. They have really cool birthdates too, but you’ll have to come into Laura Belle for me to tell you that story.”
“I opened the store because I couldn’t find cute, affordable maternity clothes or cute, affordable little boy clothes anywhere in the Farmington area! And who wants to drag your big, beautiful, pregnant self or your spirited toddlers to the city to find clothes? Not me! So, I decided to quit my job and with my husband as my partner, open Laura Belle featuring clothes for moms-to-be and baby clothes for boys and girls.”
“As if marriage and kids hasn’t already changed my life forever – I love my funny, frantic chaos — now I’m embarking on a new adventure. And, “birthing” Laura Belle has been almost as exciting as childbirth. (Without the stretch marks!). So y’all come on in and get to know me. See what I’ve picked out for moms and kids in the Parkland to wear.”
On top of owning and operating her own business, McLean also operates Laura Belle’s website and posts in a corresponding blog on a regular basis.
Originally featuring only clothing items, Laura Belle has expanded to offer toys, book, and a multitude of baby accessories and necessities.
McLean hopes to not only bring options to expectant and new mothers, but also a sense of comfort knowing there are cute and affordable options for themselves and their children. Laura Belle Boutique is located on 24 E. Columbia Street in Farmington and is open Monday through Friday 10:00-5:00 p.m., and Saturday from 10:00-3:00 p.m.
You can also follow Laura Belle Boutique on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.
Great success story. I think she should open an online store. I know for me I think it’s just easier going online to sites like https://www.limelush.com/ and get everything done with a bang. The last thing you want to do when you’re pregnant is walk around with your feet all swollen shopping around for clothes or drag you’re little ones around .