Owning a boutique has been a dream of Nikki Tillma's for as long as she can remember, and now, that dream is coming true. Downtown Style is growing and evolving into Downtown Style Salon & Boutique, adding clothing and other boutique-style items.
Tillma established Downtown Style in 2015 after she purchased Style on Main from long-time hairstylist Pam Braa, who retired. She's been busy since. However, when Mark and Lori Caauwe approached her last year to see if she'd be interested in changing locations to Depot Square, she realized the space would allow her to make one of her business ideas come to life.
Thus, the idea of the salon and boutique was born.
Tillma is excited about the new location. The salon will be moving to the northwest area of Depot Square on the corner of 3rd Street and Depot Avenue, and the boutique will be located in the same space.
It'll be an open-concept model, Tillma pointed out, with an area for the salon and an area for the boutique.
"Everybody's been really positive about it," said Tillma's husband, Rod. Whether it's been comments on-line or feedback from customers, excitement for another shopping option in Garretson is there. Rod, who owns Central Valley Dairy, has been instrumental in helping Tillma get up and running with this newer portion of her business.
Tillma said she's learned a lot in a very short period of time. Tillma found herself playing catch-up in order to have her inventory in time for her opening date, noting that a few suppliers were extremely helpful. The clothing business tends to work at least 6-8 months ahead, which means most suppliers are ordering their fall and winter items in early spring. Since she wasn't quite sure when the new space was going to be ready, Tillma found herself ordering her inventory in September. Luckily, she's been able to obtain most of the items she ordered, and is looking forward to the way the boutique will change in its first months, which will keep it exciting for customers.
She intends to carry primarily women’s clothing geared towards age 16-55+, but there will be a few other surprises along the way- such as Christmas decor, jewelry, and baby items.
And of course, the salon.
Tillma will continue with all of her salon services except tanning (that portion will be transferred to The Exercise Place when they open next door in January), and is excited to have both the salon and boutique going at the same time.
Her hours will be Tuesday through Saturday, with Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays open from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Thursdays from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., and Saturdays 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Despite normally being closed Mondays, Downtown Style & Boutique will have its opening day this coming Monday, November 1 from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. More information and photos of inventory can be found on the Facebook Page, Downtown Style Salon & Boutique.
