Loralei's Boutique

Nine years ago, I cleaned out my closet and walked into a consignment shop to consign my clothes. I ended up buying the business. Kinda crazy, right? What was probably even crazier is that I did so with very little retail, sales, marketing or management experience. I was a former English major/paralegal so clearly I was qualified, right? As ill-planned as that was, I am so very glad I made that decision and that I immediately surrounded myself with an amazing staff of women who had talent and experience well beyond mine in many areas. I have learned SO MUCH in the past nine years and have met so many wonderful customers, consignors and fellow business owners. There are things we do in life that shape us forever and this has been one of my grandest adventures.

As many of you probably know, three years ago I also decided (also quite spontaneously) to get my real estate license. I remember thinking that I would spend my days working in the store and spend my evenings showing homes. Once I actually became an agent, I realized how nearly impossible that was. I didn't anticipate the rapid growth of my real estate business, but three years later, I am a very busy residential and commercial agent serving the entire Dayton community! Thank goodness I have such an amazing staff who are more than holding down the fort!

(This is the hard part): Over the past year, I have realized that it was getting harder and harder to manage the store, manage my real estate career, take care of my family and try to have any kind of life. I do have an incredible staff as I mentioned. They love the store as much as I do and I was having a lot of anxiety about what I should do. I needed a sign! My sign was when my store manager, Barbara Claudepierre, tearfully announced her impending retirement. Her first grandson was born almost a year ago and she wants to spend time spoiling him and traveling the world. Who can blame her? Have you seen her grandson??

I decided this past fall that I needed to find a successor. I am so pleased to have found Suzanne Wehrly. UNLIKE ME, Suzanne has a degree in Fashion Merchandising. She also has 20 years of marketing experience working for national brand campaigns. She is going to be amazing and I hope you will join me in welcoming her as the new owner of Loralei's Boutique! Suzanne has been working with the staff in the store and with me behind the scenes over the past four months to ensure a smooth transition. She very much wants to maintain the status quo with the systems and processes familiar to our customers and consignors. She is also retaining Kathy Weaver and Jacki Bishop on staff. Rest assured that you are in good hands. With her passion and experience and her commitment to being in the store most days, I have no doubt that the business will continue to grow and thrive in the coming years!

Barb has asked me to relay the message that until the end of June she will be working in the store Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. She has loved working with you all over the years and would very much like to see you all to say au revoir.

Allison will also be working two more Saturdays. She will leaving us to save young lives as nurse's aid at Dayton Children's.

Kathy Weaver will be working most Mondays, as usual, and Jacki Bishop will be filling in during the week as well.

As for me, I will be just down the road at the Coldwell Banker Heritage Yankee Centre office. Feel free to call, text or email me anytime: LaurieW@ColdwellBanker.com or
937-344-3478. If you think I did a good job helping you sell your used clothing and accessories, consider giving me a shot when selling your used home or office space (or helping you buy a new one)!

Thank you SO MUCH for supporting the store throughout the years and for being part of the Loralei's family.

Please stay in touch.

Much love,

Laurie