A shopper looks at the clothing selection available at Twelve Oaks Boutique, 22 E. Auglaize St.. Wapakoneta.
Tara Jones | The Lima News
Sisters Ann Martin, Allison Harrod, and Abby Golden celebrated the grand opening of their Twelve Oak Boutique in Wapakoneta on Friday morning.
Tara Jones | The Lima News
Sisters Abby Golden, far left, Ann Martin and Allison Harrod make their first in-store sale at Twelve Oak Boutique’s grand opening Friday morning.
Tara Jones | The Lima News
WAPAKONETA — After nearly three years of online success and pop-up shops, three sisters have opened their first storefront in their hometown.
Abby Golden, Ann Martin and Allison Harrod, all of Wapakoneta, began their online women’s clothing and accessories store, Twelve Oak Boutique, two and a half years ago. After successful pop-up shops and their own shopping app, the space at 22 E. Auglaize St. in downtown Wapakoneta became available.
“We started at our mom’s house, and we just kind of came up with the idea and decided to try it out for a while online,” Harrod said. “Then we started doing some pop-up shops every four months or so at different locations. After one last November, we finally had the opportunity to rent this space.”
COVID-19 struck down hopes of the sisters opening the storefront location in April, but the doors are finally opening this weekend. The grand opening will continue from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.
“They tested the market by opening up in a vacant building that was under renovation, which shows the perseverance and the creativity that they have because the place really didn’t have any running water or electric,” said Jackie Martell, executive director for the Wapakoneta Area Chamber of Commerce. “They were so well-received by the community that it gave them the confidence that it was the right thing to do.”
The boutique carries a variety of women’s clothing including dresses, tops, bottoms and jackets, jewelry, shoes and other accessories.
“We want anyone and everyone to be able to feel beautiful,” Golden said. “The three of us sisters all have very different styles, and we try to emulate in the clothes that we wear, so we have a wide range and hope to appeal to a large customer base.”
The store will be open from 2 to 6 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays.
“It is really exciting to see Wapakoneta’s downtown thriving with shops and eateries,” Martell said. “Even with the setbacks for our businesses and all businesses in our area, we still see these brave small business owners charging forward and reaching for their dreams.”
Reach Tara Jones at 567-242-0511.
