Granddaughters were the inspiration behind new Market Street tea shop and boutique
ZANESVILLE − Valerie Gutridge always did love "Alice in Wonderland," but it’s not what inspired her new tea party and boutique girl’s clothing shop, Vintage Charm & Glitter at 231 Market St.
“The idea all stemmed from me taking my granddaughters to several different places that do similar things,” she said of 7-year-old Grace and 1-year-old Charlotte, whose names carry the loose meanings of “charm,” and “vintage,” respectively.
“Then last year my husband had a heart attack and that really opened my eyes. He had a second chance at life, and it was time that I decided to bring my dream to a reality.”
Owning a business wasn’t a far leap for Gutridge. Her father was an entrepreneur in the oil and gas industry.
“That’s what I knew most of my life,” she said, adding she works during the week at Genesis HealthCare in the finance division. She also served on the West Muskingum Board of Education for several years. “I’ve always been entrepreneurial minded. I’ve always wanted to have my own business and I’ve had many different ideas. But my granddaughters, going around with them, it was like ‘Okay this is my thing.’”
Her granddaughters now help around the store.
“The girls have definitely been a part of it,” she said. “They both have been there while I was cleaning. Grace was modeling some of my clothes. Charlotte grabbed a broom and was trying to sweep. I like that they’re going to grow up with me in the store and be a part of it.”
And that’s exactly the kind of feeling she wants for her customers and their children or grandchildren, ages 3 to 18.
“It’s a place designed for children to come in with a smile and leave with a smile,” she said. “It’s a place to make their dream a reality.”By appointment, customers can set up tea parties by selecting a package and adding any additional items they like such as hair glitter, nail polishing, crafts, dress-up, walking the runway, and/or modeling on the stage.
“I also have a children’s clothing boutique throughout the store,” she said of the girl’s specialty clothing sizes baby through 14/16, and accessories available for those entertaining tea parties as well as those who just walk in for the shopping only.
“The tea parties don’t have to be for a birthday or special occasion,” said Gutridge. “It’s more about experiences anytime for any reason.”
She said she also offers tea parties for little girls and their dolls, and she’s entertaining the notion of hosting tea parties for adults.
“There are families of grandma, mom, cousin, aunts, who have reached out for those,” she said. “And I’m looking at how to best accommodate that.”
She said her grand opening saw a great first weekend that was filled from Friday to Sunday.
“I’m hoping to continue that,” said Gutridge. “It’s really been a dream come true.”
The store, which opened on May 3, is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. For more information, call 740-819-2841.
This article originally appeared on Zanesville Times Recorder: Granddaughters inspired woman to open tea shop and boutique
