When Iris Richardson wanted to expand her business and open a third Queen Anne’s Lace Boutique, she went to social media to get advice about a good location.
That led her to 207 E. Main Street in Festus, where Discount Educational Supplies used to operate, said Richardson, 43, of Park Hills.
“So many people said Festus,” she said. “That was why I came to Festus.”
The Festus boutique, which opened March 15, sells jewelry, women’s clothing and home decor.
Richardson’s other stores are in Park Hills and Ste. Genevieve.
She said business is booming at the Festus store.
“We can’t get over our reception – the other businesses were welcoming,” she said this month. “It’s awesome for small businesses to work together. We’re excited to be working with (the Historic Tanglefoot Association) and with all the city has going on. We’re really excited to be here.”
Richardson said she opened her first Queen Anne’s Lace Boutique in Park Hills almost five years ago.
“I’ve made jewelry for 10 years, and it just developed into me opening my own store,” she said. “We do handmade jewelry – a lot of hand-written pendants, necklaces – that have words on them. I do a lot of custom mothers’ necklaces. For example, I’ll put their children’s names on the pendants.
“Our clothing is small through 3X. It’s just trendy fashion,” Richardson said.
She is renting the space for the Festus boutique and is operating the store with a staff of five, herself included.
The store hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays; and noon to 4 p.m. Sundays.
Richardson and her husband, Shane, live in Park Hills with their son, Regan.
For more information, visit the Queen Anne’s Lace Boutique Facebook page.