A new boutique in Sanford offers a variety of apparel and fashion accessories for every type of celebration.
Owner Celia Solorzano opened moved into the location at 103 Carbonation Road in June and held her grand opening celebration earlier this month. She said she’s had the idea for the store for a few years.
“I started working on my daughter’s Quinceañera party six years ago,” she said. “The whole idea of shopping and going everywhere — we drove just about any place you could think of in North Carolina just to get her dress. We also had to get her party favors elsewhere … it was a lot. Since then, I had the idea that we could do it all in one place.”
Time passed and the opportunity arose for Solorzano.
“I actually acquired this business from someone else — she had done this for 40 years,” Solorzano said. “She is a very smart woman. She was able to show me what she had and tell me everything she knew. She mainly worked out of her home. I took what she had an decided to make it bigger.”
Celia’s Boutique has a lot of different merchandise in their Carbonton Road store.
“I’m aiming not just just for Quinceañeras, but for weddings, proms, first birthdays — any kind of ceremony or family gathering you can think of,” she said. “Any formal setting — like a cotillion — anything that you can think of, we can do here.”
Celia’s has clothing, jewelry, accessories and even tux rentals.
“My intentions are to bring in more men’s items,” Solorzano said. “I have some dress shirts now, but I plan to get a lot more. The whole family can come here to be able to feel beautiful, feel comfortable … and enjoy that special day.”
Solorzano said she has had a lot of people coming to visit Celia’s.
“We’ve had a lot of curiosity,” she said. “I’m so willing to share my experiences, my traditions and what I’ve learned from other people. We’ve had a lot of positive feedback.”
Solorzano said she is “getting her team together,” with two people helping her with marketing and two in the store.
Celia’s Boutique is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Mondays are used for private appointments. Solorzano said the store will soon have a website, but those interested can call or text 919-478-1738 or look up the store n Facebook and. Instagram. People will be able to order and purchase from the website.
The dresses, of course, have been popular, but Solorzano said items for toasts that match any color pattern are also in demand.
“We’re able to coordinate everything,” she said. “We want to make sure that when they have their parties, their ideas can come to life.”
Solorzano notes that the boutique has ample space for trying on the clothing.
“Especially the big dresses,” she said. “We’re able to help get them fitted and I’ve got someone who will do alterations. There’s always that one little detail to make it the perfect dress.”