Mom, daughter keep boutique going strong
In the world of superstores, running a small, self-owned retail store isn’t easy.
But Samantha Stokes and her mother, Susan Stokes, are fighting the odds with an Indian Trail boutique, One Sassy Chic, that celebrated its two-year anniversary this month.
“There was nothing like this in the area when we started our store. It’s a great place to stop by if you’re looking for a different gift or something that you can grab quickly, have gift-wrapped for free, and take with you,” said Samantha Stokes, a 22-year-old who inspired her mother to partner with her when she opened the store in 2006.
“I’ve always dreamed of having a store. I can do it with the help of my family. My mom is my partner. My grandmother and sister help out in the store and my father helps me decorate it.”
One Sassy Chic, located at 13803 Independence Blvd. in Indian Trail, sells items such as bead jewelry, hair ribbons and notes and cards made by Samantha, and colorful catch-all bags and baby blankets and burp cloths sewed by Susan. It also offers handcrafted items by other local vendors, such as leather bags, candles and jewelry. New for spring is a line of flip-flops. The store also sells three styles of T-shirts, all with its name on the front.
“We sell things you can’t find at a (major retail) store,” said Susan. “We are a Christian-based store. We only play a Christian radio station and we offer scripture-based bracelets, purses, wallets and bags.”
