Local boutique and salon seeks to offer fashion beyond the curve in Mount Pleasant
Taylor McGinn wants to know where Mount Pleasant stands in the fashion world.
The Fenwick senior began as the first intern for Aphrodite Salon and Boutique, 214 S. Washington St., May 21, where she works with the owners to bring the newest fashion to town.
McGinn is an apparel merchandising and design major, and working in a boutique is something she has always wanted to do.
“I heard about the boutique from a professor,” McGinn said. “I had never heard of them before because they’re still trying to get their name out there.”
The salon and boutique, made up of 10 rooms and two bathrooms, is owned by Lois Breidenstein, 60, of Mount Pleasant. Breidenstein also owns The Bird Bar and Grill, 223 S. Main St., and has kept the bar in the family for its third generation since 1933.
Breidenstein’s daughters, Rachel Blizzard, 29, of Mount Pleasant, and Allison Curtiss, 35, of Shepherd, run the salon and boutique, which was known as the Dondero House while the two were growing up in Mount Pleasant.
The house was filled with novelties and knickknacks in every room, some even themed in holiday decorations before it was rented out, Breidenstein said.
She bought the home in 2009.
“Mom has always wanted to own the Dondero House,” Blizzard said. “She loved this house.”
In October 2009, Curtiss started a salon business in the home. Blizzard decided to add a boutique to the location in November.
“What’s awesome about our place is we try to be different,” Blizzard said. “We just try to make it an overall experience for the client.”
The boutique carries brands such as Lucky, Big Star, Silver and Kid Rock’s "Made in Detroit" line and offers a variety of jeans, shirts, dresses, sunglasses, jewelry and other gift items.
“People come in for one thing and ask about another,” Blizzard said. “You might leave with jeans and feathers in your hair.”
Curtiss said she is constantly searching for new fads and styles popular within the fashion industry.
“It’s fun to be able to bring in different things before other people do,” Curtiss said.
Blizzard and Curtiss said most of their clientele is regular, and a lot of passersby simply walk in to see what is inside the salon and boutique.
McGinn and Blizzard keep improving the boutique's selection by researching new clothes and companies to do business with.
“To tell you the truth, I have found a new niche in my life,” McGinn said. “I absolutely love it and I like supporting small businesses.”
