Editorials

Dogwood Lane Boutique Celebrates Anniversary

It’s not often you find New York trends in a rural Tennessee town, but that’s exactly what you will discover when you visit Dogwood Lane Boutique in Sweetwater, Tenn. Kelli Maniscalco, founder and owner of Dogwood Lane Boutique located at 504 N. Main Street, downtown Sweetwater, has brought her love and expertise in buying clothing, accessories, and decor for both women and young ladies to Sweetwater. Her boutique appeals to ladies from teens to 92 and its cozy atmosphere allows Kelli to give each and every one her personal attention.

Kelli Maniscalco not only has an eye for the New York fashions, she grew up in the Hudson Valley area of New York, and graduated from Ithaca College with an art history degree. She has always been very interested in creative arts, decor, fashion, gardening, and merchandising. “My family and friends say it is no surprise that I have specialized in fashion and decor,” Kelli expressed to me. “They have always come to me for advice and help with their selections of clothing trends, as well as consulting me regarding the latest in home decor.”

Kelli interned with an art gallery in Manhattan for an almost two years, nurturing her passion in the arts. She then went to work for a retail company near Maine where she was employed for five years prior to her move to Tennessee. She gained experience and knowledge while selling some very popular lines of women’s luxury fashions.

It was after Kelli’s dad retired from his chiropractic practice that her parents moved to Sweetwater. Southeast Tennessee’s rural country is very similar to their hometown area of New York, so when Kelli came to visit them in Sweetwater, it felt like home. Kelli said their family had always been very close, so it didn’t take her long to make a decision to relocate as well.

The Dogwood Lane Boutique exemplifies Kelli’s expertise in fashion styles. She has a New York eye she says, and is very gifted in choosing what’s going to be trending. She looks for apparel that is trendy and chic and is vibrant and youthful. She keeps up with the latest trends through many magazines, shows, and blogs and is complimented consistently on her selections in the boutique. She has a touch for merchandising with displays that have a rustic or primitive advertising appeal, yet adds a useful vibe to the boutique. You’ll be amazed at the beautiful skirts, dresses, jackets and tops and how versatile they are with each other. The colors are vibrant and very much “in” today. You’ll love the styles and colors of purses and shoes and there’s jewelry from bling to stones, metal and much more. Kelli listens to her customers for what they like and results they’re wanting. She keeps an open eye for things that appeal to them, and wants their visit to Dogwood Lane to be a positive and personal shopping experience that they will enjoy every time they visit.

June 1 is Dogwood Lane’s first anniversary, and Kelli will be rotating sales daily that first week of June and light refreshments will welcome you as you shop. Be sure to “Like” Dogwood Lane Boutique at facebook.com/dogwoodlaneboutique and check out her new summer trends.

Kelli said, “Sweetwater is a great place to start a business. Everyone has been so friendly and welcoming. I’ve enjoyed all of it. It’s been a learning process and I can’t think of a better place to start a first business.” She hopes to grow the business, be able to expand, and add some more to the decor lines and have more room to give the women and young ladies more outfits and accessories to browse and purchase. You will enjoy your shopping experience with this vivacious and talented young woman and appreciate her keen experience and passion for fashion trends. Be sure to wish her Happy Anniversary and tell her you read it in The Busy Bee.

By Maxine B. Jones, Ocoee, Tennessee

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