Area sisters open Blonde Boutique in downtown Glen Ellyn

GLEN ELLYN – For Allison Ohlander and Natalie Smith, running Blonde Boutique is a family affair.

Ohlander of Glen Ellyn and Smith of Wheaton are sisters and in June opened Blonde Boutique, 494 N. Main St. in downtown Glen Ellyn. The store, which formerly housed the store Paisley on Main, specializes in women’s clothing.

This is their first business venture. The store’s name, Blonde Boutique, stems from the fact that they both have blond hair.

“Growing up, we were known as the ‘blond girls,’” Ohlander said. “We had super white blond hair. We were just kind of known for that. So we want our business to be known for our family venture.”

Smith has a vast amount of experience working in fashion merchandise, Ohlander said.

“This is her thing,” Ohlander said. “She always wanted to have her own store, and I was just the older sister push behind it. She has experience in the buying process and knows what works and doesn’t work.”

The store primarily carries women’s clothing, although it also sells kids’ and babies’ clothing.

Some of the lines Blonde Boutique carry include Chaser, Milkbarn, Om & Ah yoga and athletic attire, and DIFF sunglasses.

Blonde Boutique also carries several brands that are exclusive to the store, such as BB Dakota and Sanctuary, as well as jewelry and wine glasses. And the store also sells the work of local artists and jewelry makers.

“It’s kind of a one-stop shop,” Ohlander said. “You can really find something for everyone.”

Those who go to the Glen Ellyn Chamber of Commerce and the Alliance of Downtown Glen Ellyn’s Sidewalk Sale Celebration will get a taste for what the store offers. Blonde Boutique will be part of the sale, which runs from July 20 through 23.

She thought Glen Ellyn would be a “perfect fit” for their business.

“We grew up in [Charleston, Ill.], which is a small town, and we kind of wanted to bring that friendliness to our store and to the community,” Ohlander said.

“We feel that this entire downtown area is a perfect fit. The community is just extremely supportive and friendly and loves to shop locally. We’ve met a lot of great people just in the last month of being open.”

The store is located near several other boutiques along Main Street, which she believes is good for foot traffic.

“Everyone has a little bit something different,” Ohlander said. “You could pop into all the stores and get something really unique from each one.”