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Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Covering Dallas, Monmouth, Independence, Falls City and surrounding areas since 1868
Lori Johnson opened Amanda' Closet at 410 E. Main Street in Monmouth earlier this month. The shop carries dresses, jackets, tops, jeans, accessories and gifts.
June 26, 2012
MONMOUTH -- "Small town" doesn't need to mean "style challenged," although that's easier said than done when your community has scant offerings for apparel shopping.
Enter Amanda's Closet at 410 E. Main St., the site of the old Red Vase. Monmouth resident Lori Johnson opened the doors to the women's clothing boutique earlier this month.
The shop carries dresses, tops, jeans, jackets, gifts, accessories, handbags and other apparel comparable to what you might find on the racks of Macy's and other department stores.
Johnson also plans to carry in-demand designer merchandise, like Miss Me and Rock Revival jeans, later this summer.
"There was nothing like this here, so we decided to open something affordable for people and give it a try," said Johnson. She and her husband, Jim, purchased the property a few months ago.
They've since relocated the family from Las Vegas, where Jim ran several gas stations. Lori Johnson said they've had ties to Monmouth for years; they've owned rental homes here since 2005, when their late daughter, Jeanine, was attending Western Oregon University. Jeanine passed away in 2008.
"The people here were so great then," said Lori Johnson, noting an outpouring of support from residents after her daughter's death. "We didn't realize there would be that big of an effect in such a short time here."
Amanda's Closet was inspired by her younger daughter and the shop's namesake, Amanda, and the fact that there was a shortage of places to buy new clothes in Monmouth and its neighboring cities, Johnson said.
Much of her merchandise comes from L.A. Mart, a trade center for clothing and home furnishing sellers in Southern California, she said.
Amanda's Closet will be selling shoes in the future, while clothing will be switched out on a seasonal basis. It will also carry a selection for prom and run a repeat -- consignment -- boutique for designer clothes.
"We also want to hang art from the art department (at WOU) and even Central High School -- students can display their art here and sell it if they want to," she said.
While college-age students are a target, older residents will not be shut out, Johnson assured, noting there will be an array of sizes for 40-somethings like herself.
"What we sell will reflect a younger and older generation," she said. "I'm not relying just on college kids, I would like the whole community to be able to shop here."
Take A Look
What: Amanda's Closet.
Where: 410 E. Main St., Monmouth.
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, noon to 5 p.m.
For more information: 503-838-5000 or online at facebook.com/amandascloset01.
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