MANSFIELD — Even on days when GLAM Boutique customers leave the store without buying anything, the owner and staff still enjoy talking to them.
“We’ve had customers come in not even to shop, just to vent,” owner Ayla Yard said. “I really feel like we’ve created a community from the beginning about how we genuinely care about our customers and what’s going on in their lives.”
Yard celebrated moving her clothing store to a new space in the Panchos Tacos strip mall with her husband Zac, family, friends and sales associates with a ribbon cutting on Thursday.
Chief operating officer for the Richland Area Chamber & Economic Development Jodie Perry said the Yards recently celebrated the first anniversary of Ayla’s Bridal and Formal.
“It was just a year ago that we were across the street for her other venture,” Perry said. “I love to see someone who is so passionate about entrepreneurship that they have lots of irons in the fire.”
Mansfield’s 2nd Ward Councilwoman Cheryl Meier also attended Thursday’s ribbon cutting to congratulate the Yards.
“I’ve been a very happy customer every time I come in here — Ayla does such a fabulous job,” she said.
The 32-year-old business owner credited her mentor and founder of GLAM Boutique, Laura Wilging, with building a strong business foundation in 2001 before she and Zac bought the boutique in 2020.
“She did a fabulous job starting the business and laying a solid foundation for women to come in and feel like they can be themselves,” Yard said.
Yard also thanked her husband and father-in-law for completing renovations on the former Apple-A-Day health store.
“We’re just really grateful,” she said. “Our new slogan is, ‘Looks that last.’ You can come in, purchase an item, wear it for the next five years and still want to wear it.”
The boutique sells women’s clothing, accessories, jewelry, candles and home goods.
GLAM Boutique can be found at 1358 Lexington Ave. and on Facebook. The business hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
