about as business owner Kimberly Boucher was starting to prepare for the next chapter of her life, early retirement, and felt a clothing shop was a “great way to transition into that,” said Boucher.

After being locked up due to COVID for almost 18 months and feeling alone it pushed her to make her passion a reality, Boucher said. As restrictions started to lift it gave her a sense of “renewal” and “really appreciating life and deciding you know what, this is the right time to go for it,” she said.

She and her mother, Gail Bronson Boucher, currently run the shop. Boucher plans to continue working in her city job until the store takes off and can become her full-time gig. “It is a privilege to be able to work alongside my mom in this business, that was really special,” said Boucher.

When asked why she loved working with her daughter, Gail said “we get along very good together.” Gail who has been retired for ten years, decided she will join her daughter and has enjoyed it because she loves to chat with customers as she knows many of them since she has worked in Shawville for many years.

Since the first few hours that they were open, Boucher has been met with positive responses, she said, “opening a new business is always a bit scary because with COVID it has been a bit difficult to really question ‘Is this the right time’ but with a lot of encouragement from the community and our family, I think we’ve made the right choice.”

As they settle in the store and talk to more customers, they want to be able to cater to women ages 40 and up and gather as much feedback from customers in regards to what styles they want to see, and what price points they are comfortable with, “we just don’t want to pigeonhole ourselves quite yet. So, I want to listen to our customers and tailor our business towards them,” she said.

What surprised Boucher most about starting her business was the response from family and friends.

“Sometimes when you start with a business plan and you think you’re alone and you’re playing off each other trying to come up with a great plan and execute. Then you have that added bonus of having community support and support from your family. That was quite surprising,” she said.

Boucher is excited to be among the many businesses here on Main St. and being able to cater to visitors and cottagers, “I think we’re just complementing what’s already here which is already great. Pontiac is a great place to live and do business.”

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