MANSFIELD – Caitlin Carr wants customers to feel at home when they enter her boutique.
Carr and her husband Dillon purchased Golden Poppy, formerly known as Poppy Boutique, in July.
The store, located at 1084 Lexington Ave., continues to carry clothing, footwear, jewelry and accessories for women. Under Caitlin Carr’s leadership, the inventory has expanded to include children’s clothing and accessories, toys and a selection of home goods.
Carr said she wants Golden Poppy to be a place where customers can find the perfect outfit or gift for any occasion.
“We enjoy styling people and helping people find outfits,” she said. “That’s what we’re here for.”
The shop kicked off a grand reopening with a ribbon cutting Friday. The reopening features the launch of the boutique’s website and christens the store under its new name.
The color gold symbolizes the warmth and compassion she hopes customers feel when they walk through the door.
“To me, gold feels warm and inviting,” Carr said. “We prayed over this space and decided what we wanted to do with it.
“We want people to feel comfortable, to feel at home when they come here.”
Carr described the clothing selection at Golden Poppy as eclectic.
“We have casual; we have boho; we have some dressier, more modern business styles,” she said. “We have a little bit of everything.”
Carr said the rebrand is about continuing the vision of former owner and founder Becky Sipe, while also making the space her own.
Carr began working for Sipe at Poppy’s sister store, Pursenickety, while she was still in college. When Sipe expanded with a second shop in Ontario, Carr moved to the area to help run the store. She was later promoted to buyer and manager roles.
Meanwhile, she became close friends with a co-worker, Madison Carr.
“I met Madison – Dillon’s sister – and that’s how I met my husband,” she said. “I made lots of friends and family here through the shop, so it really is something that has been close to our hearts and in our lives for most of my adult life.”
The Carrs moved to Pittsburgh in 2017, where Caitlin worked as an online stylist for StitchFix. She enjoyed the work, but missed the personal interaction with customers.
She also missed her community and family in Mansfield.
“We had great experiences out there, but wanted to be back because Mansfield is home,” she said. “When this opportunity came up, we knew we had to jump on it.”
Sales associate Jada Wareham worked with Carr during her days at Pursenickety. She’s then since joined the team at Golden Poppy.
“I really always thought (Caitlin) would do something like this. I was really happy to hear she was coming back,” Wareham said.
Wareham said that Pursenickety and Poppy customers will enjoy the same small-town, personal touch at Golden Poppy.
“It’s still the same warm, welcoming environment that it always was,” she said. “We love for people just to come in and visit with us. We love making friends here.”
Dillon said his wife has a passion and skill for helping women look and feel beautiful.
“She finds joy in dressing women for any occasion. That’s how she expresses herself,” he said.
Golden Poppy will continue its reopening celebration Saturday with a charity raffle and complimentary ‘build your own bouquet’ bar (while supplies last).
Light refreshments will be available, as well as fare from Grunt Grub food truck.
Golden Poppy is open Tuesdays through Fridays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
