Two owned a building and coordinated art classes. One painted furniture. And the fourth had a vision for putting it all together.
In May, Dusty DeHaven, Tim Makinen, Lori Conarton and Michelle Tellier decided on a concept and opened
Simply Smitten Boutique in a historic building at 257 S. Bridge St. in Dimondale. The business, says one of the owners, grew from a shared love of shopping, decorating and repurposing found objects through creativity.
"I call it a unique boutique," says Conarton, a Simply Smitten co-owner. "It's about resale—there's clothing, purses, jewelry, furniture, home décor. Some things have been upcycled. We really believe in bringing new life to old things."
Situated on the corner of Jefferson and Bridge Streets, Simply Smitten captures the attention of passers-by through a rotation of merchandise in an old-fashion window display. Once inside, customers absorb the ambience of the 100-year-old building that features a plank floor, bead board walls, and six repurposed chandeliers.
"Customers tell us that you don't feel like you're in a resale shop," says Conarton. "We make the atmosphere really enjoyable and display things in unsual ways. We also bring in new things almost daily. So if you see something you like, you'll want to buy it since it's one-of-a-kind."
Conarton says the shop fuels the shopping passions of each store owner. The four independently shop garage sales, on-line auctions, garage and estate sales, and receive items from friends who want to ensure a new life for beloved items. The team then draws on the artistic and creative impulses of each other to bring a fresh look to every item before it goes on the sales floor.
"I have a purpose now for my shopping habits," says Conarton. "You can only have so much stuff in your house, so now my goal when I shop is to find things that people will love."
Simply Smitten recently hosted the first of what Conarton says will be a string of special events. The first annual Glamperdale in mid-September featured seven "glampers"—or "glammed up" vintage travel trailers that resemble canned hams.
"We want to bring people to Dimondale to visit our business, as well as others," says Conarton, a Dimondale resident. "This is all part of a dream of mine to be part of the business community and to bring new and interesting things here."
Source: Lori Conarton, Co-Owner, Simply Smitten Boutique
Writer: Ann Kammerer, News Editor
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