MANSFIELD — Janelle Blake has planted a new business in downtown Mansfield.
The owner of Roots salon celebrated the grand opening of her new store, Bloom Boutique, on Friday. The shop is located beside the salon at 48 Park Avenue West. Shoppers will find a mix of outfit staples and statement pieces, along with jewelry, shoes, bath bombs and custom-blend candles.
“We love comfort,” Blake said. “We go with more bohemian with modern influences — effortless styles that can just go with anything in your wardrobe already.”
Blake and store manager Kalina Gillum say they want to help customers feel more confident and comfortable in their own skin.
“We want to make someone feel as beautiful on the outside as they are on the inside,” Gillum said. “We want to make them feel comfortable, while still being stylish, while still being themselves. That’s important.”
Blake said she’s always dreamed of opening a clothing store. The stylist and entrepreneur added a small retail space to the back of her salon last year to test it out. The operation quickly outgrew the space, so she took the plunge and leased the space next door.
“It’s been empty for about a year and a half and I think it’s a God thing, that it was meant to be,” she said.
Blake opened Roots in 2013 on Stumbo Road in Ontario. She moved the salon to Mansfield about three years ago.
Blake said she’s benefitted from building relationships with fellow small business owners in the area.
“We love being part of a community — having other small businesses around, getting to know the other small businesses and connecting with them,” she said. “It’s been a joy.”
Gillum agreed.
“I think that we’re just grateful to build downtown Mansfield,” she said. “I think when we were younger, everybody said ‘downtown’s not safe anymore.’ And it’s changing.”
Bloom is open Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Fridays from 1 to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
