The Wells County Chamber of Commerce staff and Ambassadors celebrated with a Ribbon Cutting for a new downtown Bluffton business, Brooke Nicole Boutique at 211 W Market St, Bluffton with owner Brittany Gentis.
Gentis started a clothing store approximately one year ago by posting and promoting her business online. “Boutiques were very interesting to me and I wanted something to offer people closer to home,” explains Gentis.
Starting a business downtown was intriguing to Gentis when a bakery and coffee shop also opened in downtown Bluffton. “I thought this was a great opportunity to get something going and help increase business downtown,” says Gentis.
“I was hoping to buy a building; however, nothing was available (in the size we were looking for), so we decided to lease this space,” adds Gentis. Brooke Nicole Boutique, named after her daughter’s first name and Brittany’s middle name, has been open for three weeks and business has been very steady.
“Starting the week of November 20th my hours for Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday will be 1pm to 7pm and Saturday’s 9am to 3pm, but my goal is to continue offering longer hours when sales increase,” Gentis explains. Hours are currently starting at 5pm.
Gentis carefully selects her inventory and finds clothing from sizes small to 3x and styles to accommodate teens to older women. “My goal is to make every woman at every age or size feel great in my clothes,” adds Gentis. “I just had a customer tell me that she hasn’t felt this good in a long time trying on clothes in such a long time.”
Inventory at Brooke Nicole Boutique changes often and Gentis encourages customers to not wait and buy their favorites. “I am ordering additional inventory constantly and receive 5 to 10 new items weekly.”
Gentis has had a lot of support from family and friends. Her father, Bevin Herring, says “Brittany is a hard-working individual who goes after her goals 100% and doesn’t stop until its done. She is raising a family, works a full-time job, and I am just very proud of her.”
Customers are encouraged to follow Facebook and Instagram for new arrivals and sneak peaks of products with sales and specials.
Pictured in Photo left to right:
Mayor Ted Ellis
Rita Haneline, Markle Health & Rehab, Chamber Ambassador
Mike Studebaker
Nick Huffman, FC Tucker/Malcolm & Schluetter, Chamber Ambassador
Jen Kinyo, River Terrace Estates, Chamber Ambassador
Doug Brown, News-Banner, Chamber Ambassador
Jeanne Ploetz, Creative Arts Council, Chamber Ambassador
Grayson Gentis, Brooke Nicole Boutique
Corbin Gentis, Brooke Nicole Boutique
Jan Herring
Brittany Gentis, Brooke Nicole Boutique
Bob Herring
Brooklyn Gentis, Brooke Nicole Boutique
Tina Herring
Bobbie Studebaker
Bevin Studebaker
Heather Morgan, National Oil, Chamber Ambassador
Sarah MacNeill, Wells County Public Library, Chamber Board Member
Erin Prible, Wells County Chamber of Commerce, Executive Director