By: Aimee Bingham Osinski
anbingham@gmail.com
Dexter residents may have noticed a new boutique downtown. My daughter and I stopped in last Saturday to find out more.
I immediately noticed my favorite style of purse for summer on the front table. Macrame purses with round wooden handles were displayed right on the front table. Eve and Annie had a bohemian vibe without being teenagers at a music festival. Soft sundresses and rompers for grown women. Fashionable without being uncomfortable or looking ridiculous. The materials of the clothing were soft and if you, like me, were home all last year and are not accustomed to wearing real clothes, these clothes felt like pajamas but were actual clothes.
The woman working in the store on Saturday was very friendly and welcoming to everyone. If she noticed someone looking at an item she’d point them to a different color option or similar style. I really liked the aesthetic of the store and the clothing it sells. I dislike the implication that dressing age appropriately means frumpy. I also dislike the idea that being stylish means being uncomfortable. This store has style, and comfort, without frump. It’s feminine and pretty.
I was able to chat with the owner on Monday and was happy to learn she was the woman working on Saturday. Jenny Ryle opened her first Eve and Annie Boutique in Tecumseh. I wanted to know why Jenny chose Dexter for the location of her second store. Jenny explained that she selected Dexter for, “it’s gorgeous downtown and great community spirit.”
I thought with Jenny’s sunny disposition, she’s going to really contribute to the community. People will want to stop into the boutique just to chat and say hello to her. Jenny noted that each week there will be new items in the store, so stopping in to browse is not a bad idea. I asked Jenny how the opening went and said Dexter had given her a warm welcome – and it’s been going really well.
I was not surprised. I was one of four or five customers, all shopping at the same time on Saturday. Jenny apologized to one of the shoppers for being low on merchandise because of how busy she’d already been. She didn’t look low to me but I wasn’t trying to find my own size.
Jenny gave me insight into the name of the store. “Eve was my Nana on my dad’s side and Annie was my Grandma on my mom’s side.” The store name is an homage to women who were strong influences in Jenny’s life. I’ve attributed qualities to them based on the store; confident, fashionable, and artistic. Sounds like Eve and Annie were women I’d want to be friends with.
The Eve and Annie Boutique is open Tuesday-Thursday 11-5pm, Friday 11-7pm, Saturday10-5pm, and Sunday 12-4pm. Follow The Eve and Annie Boutique on Facebook for store updates HERE.
Stop in and say hello to Jenny as you discover the soft, stylish options and browse the unique accessories. I promise, you’ll leave with a smile, maybe because Jenny is so friendly, or maybe because you found a great item for yourself.
Dexter Location
8118 Main St, Dexter 48130
Hours
Monday closed
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 11-5pm
Friday 11-7
Saturday 10-5
Sunday 12-4
Phone: 734 388 6050
Online: theeveandannieboutique.com
