ASHLAND — Alexys McQuillen has a definitive style.
She always knows what she likes. When it came to selecting decor and curating styles for her own boutique, she had a vision. It was going to be earthy, natural, industrial, yet still feminine.
With her new storefront, called Opal and Olive Boutique, that vibe comes through. Named for McQuillen’s dog, Opal Olive, the boutique sells women’s clothing and accessories, along with a selection of pet accessories and clothes.
McQuillen celebrated the opening with a ribbon cutting hosted by the Ashland Area Chamber of Commerce on Monday.
A crowd of around 50 showed up to celebrate the new business, including Mayor Matt Miller, the director of Ashland Main Street, Sandra Tunnell, and Angela Woodward, a city councilwoman.
“It’s been a dream,” McQuillen said. “I didn’t think it was achievable.”
Passing the baton
McQuillen took over the space from Blue Pumpkin Boutique, which was open on Ashland Main Street for three years.
She worked at Blue Pumpkin when it first opened. McQuillen said when Blue Pumpkin’s owner decided to close the shop, she got a call about taking it over.
In a Facebook post from Jan. 30, Blue Pumpkin’s owner shared her thanks with Ashland and announced the boutique’s closure, attributing it to personal reasons.
“This is one of the hardest decisions ever,” the post stated. “The team here has truly become family, the friends I’ve made are so very special.”
Blue Pumpkin’s Facebook page also shared that Opal and Olive will honor outstanding Blue Pumpkin gift cards after May 1.
At the ribbon cutting, Woodward, a city council member, said Blue Pumpkin had been one of her favorite stores in Ashland’s downtown.
She said she was grateful that Opal and Olive Boutique had opened in its place, and that it offered another local clothing option for women in Ashland.
Her own flair
McQuillen grew up in Ashland. With her new boutique, she looks forward to bringing people together and being part of the community that raised her.
She hopes to host after-hours events and plans to use social media to her advantage as she runs her new boutique.
McQuillen added she wants people who might not typically enjoy shopping to feel like they have a place in her boutique.
But, McQuillen said, if there’s one thing to know about her, it’s that she’s never satisfied. She always wants to keep growing and getting better. That applies to Opal and Olive Boutique, too.
Below are some of the styles for sale at Opal and Olive Boutique.
