Need a new outfit for your upcoming Fourth of July cook-out or need new beach gear for your tropical family vacation? Spread your patriotism and support local this summer by shopping in-store and online at Ellie Ray Boutique. From quality clothing, custom-made tumblers, and Dock & Bay beach towels, Winston-Salem’s Ellie Ray Boutique has everything you need to celebrate summer in style.
At Ellie Ray’s new location at 3292 Silas Creek Parkway, shelves are stocked with merchandise made locally or produced in the USA. Emily Smith, the boutique’s owner, is adamant about supporting local businesses and understands why it’s important to do so. According to Emily, the quality of locally made clothing, accessories, or home decor is typically much higher than mass-produced products at a rapid rate in other parts of the world. While many boutique owners might be tempted to stock up on items that will sell fast, Emily selects merchandise for the store that is high in both popularity and quality.
Emily Smith, Owner
Named in honor of her late mother, Ellie Ray Boutique was opened by Emily in 2017. In fact, with July 6th being her mother’s birthday, Emily chose to feature her boutique in the July issue of Forsyth Woman to honor her mother. Emily and her mother loved spending time together by shopping, which inspired her to open her own boutique and continue her mother’s legacy. In addition to her avid shopping history, Emily had experience working in retail and even became Eckerd’s youngest store manager at just 18 years old. Filled with entrepreneurial spirit and drive, Emily took a leap of faith to open the shop and works her hardest every day to give her customers the best shopping experience possible.
While the pandemic was nothing short of an obstacle for most local businesses throughout the country, the challenges of COVID-19 served as an eye-opener for Emily, inspiring her to work harder than ever to keep her dream alive. Working daily from Monday through Saturday, Emily prefers putting all of her love and effort into making the current Ellie Ray Boutique location the best and only location. While expanding the boutique would bring more financial opportunities for the Ellie Ray gang, Emily’s emphasis on quality goods and outstanding customer service is why she wants Ellie Ray to remain a “one-and-done” boutique.
The team at Ellie Ray stays up to date on the latest fashion trends for their shoppers. Recently, Emily has noticed an uptick in the popularity of jeans with a more relaxed fit, such as “boyfriend jeans” or “mom jeans,” while noticing shoppers beginning to drift away from skinny jeans – something Emily and many of her peers (including myself) refuse to part ways with. Additionally, the boutique sells other hot and trendy clothing items such as custom bleach-washed tees, band tees, and graphic tees. Although following fashion trends is fun and natural, the boutique also sells timeless staples that shoppers can wear for years on end.
If you’re looking for a new delicious scent to fill your home with, Ellie Ray Boutique sells Doodlations candles, which are hand-poured in Winston-Salem and make adorable decorations for your home. In fact, Emily met Kim, the founder of Doodlations, during her former job at the Forsyth County Clerk’s office. What started as a hobby for Kim turned profitable, with her delicately designed candles, wax melts, and whipped soaps becoming Ellie Ray customers’ favorites. As COVID restrictions have eased, Emily and Kim hope to team up in the near future to host pour parties at the boutique to give customers a glimpse into the art of candle-making.
Ready to shop and support local this July? Browse the racks at Ellie Ray Boutique in-person at their brand new location on Silas Creek Parkway or shop online at ellierayboutique.com. To keep up with the latest sales and trends, check out the team’s Facebook page or follow Emily and her gang on Instagram at @ellierayboutique.
