New boutique Just Cause opened in Short North earlier this year, filling in the space at 1357 N. High St. left vacant by Roots Records. Its eclectic mix of home goods, apparel, children’s items and more provides not just a shopping experience that appeals to a wide range of customers, but a way to give back.
Shop Owner Kelli Beightler launched Just Cause to create a revenue stream that supports her work with Let Her Rest Ministries, Beightler’s organization that works with women coming out of addiction. Serving as an outreach director for several area churches, she saw more and more women falling into cycles of drug addiction, prostitution and homelessness. Beightler wanted to do more; she wanted to make an impact.
For over two and a half years, Beightler has been providing women a safe place and an avenue to detox through Let Her Rest Ministries. In her line of work she knew that long-term, funding would be an issue.
“It was important and imperative that we were self-supportive,” Beightler says.
Just Cause first opened in Bexley as a trial run in June of 2017. Quickly outgrowing the 280 square foot space, Beightler saw an opportunity to expand and reach more people and nonprofits by relocating to the Short North.
The boutique boasts women’s apparel and accessories and a growing selection of items geared towards men. Beightler has her own line of distressed clothing for men, women and children, and also graphic apparel which can be customized on-site. Clothing and toys for children occupy another section of the store.
Just Cause also carries a number of novelties – soaps and sugar scrubs, raw honey, tea, coffee, kettles, essential oils and jewelry. There are also plans to bring other artisans into the space through a series of pop-ups.
As a social enterprise, all of Just Cause’s proceeds after basic business expenses go towards supporting women in the recovery process.
For more information and hours of operations, visit Just Cause on Facebook.
