When Kelli Oxley first launched The Purple Peony Boutique in 2020, she never imagined the business would grow from an online-only shop into a multi-location brand. Now, she’s preparing to open her first Owensboro storefront on September 27 at Williamsburg Square.
“It’s always been a dream to open a clothing store,” Oxley said. “During the COVID lockdown, I had a lot of free time at home, so I thought it was the perfect time to start an online clothing boutique since people couldn’t shop in person.”
The online venture flourished during the height of the pandemic, but Oxley quickly realized that a physical presence was key to lasting success.
“Once stores started opening again, it kind of got slower,” she said. “I started to realize you needed both an online and in-person presence. People want to see the clothing, try it on, and really connect with what they’re buying.”
That realization led Oxley to expand into vendor malls and regional events. Today, The Purple Peony Boutique has five established locations inside spaces such as Preservation Station in Owensboro, Finders Keepers Malls in Henderson and Princeton, R&T Vendor Mall, and Market 270 in Bowling Green’s Greenwood Mall.
Her newest venture, a full boutique in Owensboro, will officially open September 27 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 217 Williamsburg Square.
The shop offers size-inclusive women’s clothing, ranging from extra small to 3X, with some extended sizes available. But Oxley wanted The Purple Peony to be more than a clothing boutique.
“We actually carry gift-type items as well,” she said. “My husband has a laser engraving business, so we can do custom gifts — things like wedding signs, casserole dishes, coasters, or even laser patch hats. We want you to be able to walk in and say, ‘I need the perfect gift for this occasion,’ and we can create it.”
The Owensboro community has already embraced her growing business.
“Everybody’s been so supportive,” Oxley said. “At a recent Preservation Station event, people were coming by saying they were excited and couldn’t wait to shop. My family and friends have even been helping paint the store. I’ve had family coming in from out of town just for the grand opening.”
For Oxley, the most rewarding part of the journey has been hearing from customers who truly connect with her store.
“One shopper told me, ‘Your booth is like a girl’s heaven,’ and that just made my life,” she said. “You really want people to love the things you pick out, and hearing that meant everything.”
Shoppers can explore The Purple Peony Boutique at the new Owensboro location or browse online anytime at thepurplepeonyboutique.com. The boutique also maintains an active Facebook page where Oxley shares updates and new arrivals.
“I’ve worked hard to grow this dream into reality,” she said. “Now, I can’t wait to welcome everyone into the new store.”
