Danville city officials joined River District Association leaders and citizens Thursday morning in formally welcoming Lizzy Lou Boutique as the latest addition to the River District’s growing list of retail stores.
The shop is located at 310 Main St. and offers trendy women’s clothing and accessories at affordable price points.
Mayor Sherman Saunders noted that shop owner Sarah Rodden graduated Virginia Tech and returned to Danville with a vision of starting an apparel business.
“Young entrepreneurs bring such energy and creativity to a community,” Saunders said at Thursday’s ribbon-cutting ceremony. “We thank you for your investment in the River District and wish you many years of success.”
Rodden opened the boutique in June 2014 as an online clothing and accessory store, but recognized the opportunity to have a storefront when the space at 310 Main St. became vacant.
“I want you to know how excited I am to be a part of the River District,” Rodden said at the ceremony. “Everyone has welcomed me with open arms. I want to say ‘thank you’ to the community for supporting me. I want to say ‘thank you’ to my amazing friends and family for helping me to get to this point. I couldn’t have asked for better support. I want to thank the (city’s) economic development office for helping through the planning, and The Launch Place that helped me with my business plan.”
Ernecia Coles, executive director of the River District Association, said the association believes the boutique will draw many citizens to the River District.
“Lizzy Lou Boutique offers a funky but chic style that many young and older adults are looking for,” Coles said. “We are confident that, with your unique trendy offerings that appeal to hipsters young and old, your online success will transfer to this storefront.”
The shop opened to the public on Sept. 26.
Thursday’s ceremony was the sixth ribbon-cutting ceremony in seven weeks for new ventures in the River District. The other new ventures are as follows:
• Brewed Awakening, a gourmet coffee and sandwich shop at 610 Craghead St.
• River District Barbershop, an upscale barbershop located at 136 South Ridge St.
• Bobby Carlsen Photography, a photography and design services studio at 312 Main St.
• A La Carte Home Décor, a store at 415 Main St. with mid-to-upper range furniture, accessories and gifts
• Chestnut Lane, an antiques, painted furniture and household accessories shop at 531 Main St.
