Three years ago, Lauren Williams launched an online women’s clothing boutique called The Gemma Shop. In addition to running her clothing boutique online, she held pop up shops in empty retail spaces around central Ohio. She built a faithful following, and after a year of customer requests for a brick and mortar retail space, Williams opened The Gemma Shop at 43 E. College Ave. in Westerville.
Williams boasts a stock of affordable boutique brands, with all items in her store priced under $70. The Gemma Shop carries women’s clothing such as jeans, dresses, and tops, as well as accessories and small giftable items. The shop carries a limited quantity of items, in sizes small through large or numerical 24–31. Williams says she doesn’t want the size options to scare anyone away, and she loves to work with a customer to help her find options that fit her body. She aims to be hands-on and enjoys offering customers a one-on-one shopping experience.
Every Wednesday, Williams restocks her shop, changing out the themed displays with 15-20 new items. She does not replenish an item when it runs out, but instead fills the space with something new. She also updates her online shop in conjunction with the items she carries in store, adding new items every Wednesday.
Williams is very involved in the Westerville community and says she is passionate about helping other new businesses. She hosts small business pop ups in her shop and teaches classes on inventory and pricing at Score. She also participates in Uptown Ink, Art Hop, and 4th Friday.
More information can be found on their website at thegemmashop.com.