MANSFIELD — When Bellville resident Amy Bargahiser wandered into a boutique last year managed by Mansfield native Stephanie Sears, neither woman could have anticipated their chance meeting would spark a friendship, let alone a business partnership.
Despite the odds, the women teamed earlier this summer to open their own shop at 25 E. 4th St. in the heart of downtown Mansfield. The 419 Boutique will hold its grand opening Friday at 4:45 p.m.
“To me, this is my dream coming true,” said Sears earlier this week while sitting outside of Relax, It’s Just Coffee. “I wanted to offer this full 419 experience because when I go into a local place, I want to see local things. And it’s all like that; it’s all locally made right here, and I love it.”
She reflected on the past year, which was challenging — sometimes messy and confusing. She had moved back to Mansfield after a divorce and ended up managing a boutique after another job didn’t work out.
She remembers at least one occasion last summer, where she found herself feeling lost. She’d come recline outside the downtown coffee shop to catch up with friends and to watch as cars sped up Main Street. They seemed to have a purpose — a place to go.
She didn’t feel that way. A short walk away along East Fourth Street, just around the corner, her future was waiting for her, but she didn’t know.
Now, when sitting outside the coffee shop — one of her favorite Mansfield spots — Sears had a sense of peace. Everything seems to be coming together.
“It seems meant to be,” she said.
Sears explained how her business partner, Bargahiser had came into the boutique she was then managing. Bargahiser wanted to purchase some outfits for a vacation.
“So I put her in some different outfits, and she goes off on her trip,” Sears said. “And then she comes back super excited about all the compliments she got.”
From there on, Bargahiser was a regular customer. She’d visit the boutique once or twice a week.
“I didn’t realize she was kind of doing homework on me,” Sears said.
In May, Sears was taking a medical leave for surgery, when she was contacted by Bargahiser.
Though she was off-the-clock, Sears made time for one of her favorite customers. She invited Bargahiser to her house, thinking she needed fashion advice.
“And she asked me, if money was no object, what would I be doing with the boutique I was managing,” Sears said. “So I give her this hour long emotional pitch.
“And she just looks at me and says, ‘I’d like to back that.’”
They realized they both shared a similar dream: to own a boutique. From there, they moved forward with plans to open one.
They found the downtown space and put nearly everything together between July and September. The store’s soft opening was last week.
“Working with Amy, has been great. She’s really attentive and really good at keeping me motivated when I’m feeling a little worn down. She’s got the right words of encouragement,” Sears said. “She’s more than my business partner, she’s my friend and mentor.”
The 419 Boutique will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. To learn more, find it on Facebook.
