By RONDA GREGORY
News & Journal Staff Writer
There’s a new gypsy on the block in uptown Clarksburg. Gypsy Soul Boutique at 129 S. 4th Street recently celebrated its official Grand Opening with local leaders and new customers on hand to welcome it to the business community and wish owner Stephanie Wyatt well on her new enterprise.
The store had already enjoyed a successful “soft opening” at the West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival on Labor Day weekend.
“It was very well-received,” Wyatt reports. “We had a lot of foot traffic because of the festival.”
The woman’s unique clothing shop features mostly casual business wear, jewelry and a variety of other accessories and other clothing apparel, such as bohemian/gypsy-inspired upscale vintage clothing items and a few vintage handbags.
Wyatt wants to offer more variety and quantity of handbags soon, along with introducing some new product lines. “We’re hoping to expand into more handbag items, plus we want to add cosmetics and body fragrances,” Wyatt said.
Clothing comes in a wide range of choices – from subdued solids of earth tones or pastels to the vibrant prints and colors that are “the thing” in a professional work wardrobe. Particularly popular are the shop’s soft-flowing tunics.
Gypsy Soul is a great place to shop for that one-of-a-kind (almost) special ensemble selection because Wyatt limits orders. “We basically only order a one run for the item,” she explained.
About 90 percent of the items are new, with the remaining being quality vintage merchandise.
Local designer Dee Collins offers her own clothing line called “Little Black Designs” at the store.
Wyatt, who also owns and operates My Mother’s Daughter, a local artisan studio and coffee shop on West Main Street, said she’s very pleased to be expanding into a different retail realm. “I had planned on this, and working with women’s clothing and accessories … what woman wouldn’t enjoy that?” she said with a grin.
Wyatt said she didn’t choose the name of the shop for any particular reason. “I thought it was catchy,” she stated. “I just liked the sound of it.”
Gypsy Soul Boutique, which is small and intimate with a comfortable, elegant atmosphere, already has attracted some happy, satisfied and loyal customers.
“This is a classy, jazzy, little boutique with some interesting, snazzy couture … ,” stated Carlton Jon Neely. “Love their merchandise.”
According to Whitney Porter, she was thrilled with how much her friends liked her purchases. “Loved the clothes and jewelry at Gypsy Soul,” she stated. “I couldn’t believe how many compliments I got on one of the many tops I bought. Great prices for great stuff.”
Gypsy Soul also provides professional shopping services.
Dominique Medina Spatafore, Marketing and Community Relations Specialist for the City of Clarksburg, believes Gypsy Soul Boutique is a great addition to the smorgasbord of fun and special shopping experiences Clarksburg has to offer.
“We are excited to welcome this new unique retail store to Uptown Clarksburg,” she said. “This rounds out a lovely selection of retail and restaurant options to our Central Business District. And just in time for the holidays and Small Business Saturday to boot!”
Hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturdays and closed on Sundays. For more information, call (304) 695-9038, or visit on Facebook at Gypsy Soul Boutique.
