LIVERPOOL – Liverpool’s Lilieth Boutique celebrated five years of business May 1 with an expansion.
The person behind the Main Street boutique is Sandra Lilieth Marquis. Originally from Jamaica, Marquis grew up in Ontario and moved to Nova Scotia to be by the sea.
“I came here initially to work with The Rankin Family,” explained Marquis. “I was a stylist in my previous life.”
Marquis worked as the group’s stylist for a number of years, but has always worked in the retail industry. She says it’s what she gravitated towards.
“I like putting clothing and different looks together,” she said. “I like the evolution of fashion.”
Lilieth Boutique was originally in the space that Oscar’s Flowers, Gifts and Such is currently located. When she began, Marquis shared the space with two other business owners, operating out of a corner of the store.
Since moving to 220 Main St., Lilieth Boutique has grown, and Marquis says she now has approximately 20 clothing lines.
Marquis says the expansion will be twice the size of the current boutique, which means another 1,000 square feet of space. And she has plans for that area already: lingerie. Marquis decided to add lingerie to the collection because she gets asked about bras every day.
The main thing Lilieth Boutique offers is personalized service.
“You get somebody – myself – and if I’m not here, then the other girls, Cathy or Faye, who work here,” said Marquis.
She says if customers comes in looking for a pair of jeans, for instance, they will get personalized help. If a customer has something specific in mind, Marquis might also make other suggestions.
“Stylish and contemporary” are the two words Marquis uses to describe the clothes sold at Lilieth Boutique. She says a lot of people describe the boutique’s clothes as “different” or “unusual” – not the typical styles seen in Queens County.
Marquis says one of the highlights of running the boutique is the number and types of people she meets.
“And the tremendous support from the community,” she adds.
She says a lot of her customers recommend the store to others.
“So the support has just been phenomenal.”
Once the renovation is complete, Marquis planned to invite people in to see what the shop looks like. Marquis expects the renovation to be finished by May 12 or 13.
Marquis encourages people who have never been in the boutique to visit.
“You’re welcome. Come on in and have a look,” she said. “It doesn’t hurt to look. It doesn’t cost anything to look, and they’d be pleasantly surprised.”
Lilieth Boutique is open Tuesdays to Fridays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Visit https://www.facebook.com/LiliethBoutiqueNS/ to learn more about Lilieth Boutique.
