Photo by Emily Chatwood / MBC News
After 18 years in business, Sand n’ Sea Boutique in Greater Napanee is preparing for a new chapter as owner Ellen Johnson gets ready to retire.
Johnson opened the boutique with her husband nearly two decades ago, hoping to bring a unique shopping experience to the community they call home.
The store started in an 850-square-foot space, offering swimwear, dresses and cover-ups. Since then, it has grown through three major expansions, eventually doubling in size with the addition of its corner location on Centre and Dundas Streets.
Johnson says the decision to retire came down to timing and a desire to travel with her husband.
Looking back, Johnson says some of the most rewarding parts of the journey have been the relationships built with employees and customers. Many staff members have been with the boutique for more than 10 years.
Johnson also thanked the community, including customers from across the region who have travelled to shop at the boutique.
She says community support helped the business grow and give back through donations to schools, sports groups and other local organizations.
She went on to say, “we could not have grown as much as we did without the support of the community.”
The business will remind open until mid-December.
Written by Emily Chatwood
