Colonial Marketplace is the perfect place to spend your day with its cultivated mix of restaurants, boutiques, and services. But it wouldn’t be nearly the community hub it is without the small business owners behind it.
In honor of Women’s History Month, get to know seven of Colonial Marketplace’s women business owners from City Sprouts, Ivy Hill Boutique, Byrd Designer Consignment, Extra Virgin: An Olive Ovation, Blown Away Blow Dry Bar, Cassie’s Fragrance Boutique & Scent Bar, and YLANG YLANG.
City Sprouts: Molly Curlee
What does your business do and offer? City Sprouts is an independently owned modern kids’ boutique that has offered the best selection of unique kids’ clothes, baby clothes, baby gifts, and educational toys since 2005. Shop products by hundreds of makers in-store or online.
How and why did you start your business? City Sprouts was born in 2005 out of necessity: I needed a place to shop for my first baby! I wanted modern, fun, and not-so-traditional clothing, toys, and décor, but I could not find anything in St.Louis. I had years of experience buying for Phoenix Rising, a boutique that I owned with my sister, and I knew that there were amazing baby products out there. When a space became available across the street, I jumped on it. We’ve evolved over the years. In the beginning we sold toys, T-shirts, and baby clothing. Then we moved to a larger space and added car seats, strollers, and furniture to the mix. Ten years ago we moved to our current location and shifted our product mix to focus on clothing and toys for babies and kids from birth–age 12, with an emphasis on sustainability.
What product should people buy from you right now? Anything from Jellycat.
Ivy Hill Boutique: Hillary Dutcher
What does your business do and offer? We offer fun, bold clothing, jewelry, handbags, accessories and gifts at a variety of price points. We aim to bring unique items from designers all over the world to our St. Louis shop.
How and why did you start your business? I always wanted to have my own shop. I didn’t pull the trigger until I was newly married and living in Columbus, Ohio, which is where I originally opened Ivy Hill, in 2008. A short year later, we moved to St. Louis, and Ivy Hill found its new home in the Central West End, then another new home in Ladue, where we are now. I love working in the shop, interacting with customers, and, of course, going on buying trips to find fabulous new items. I love that each day is different, and I get to use a lot of different parts of my brain running a business.
What product should people buy from you right now? Minnie Rose cotton/cashmere tops. These solid staples are a must in your closet and come in a number of colors and styles.
Byrd Designer Consignment: Sierra Stream
What does your business do and offer? Byrd is the premier destination for luxury women’s consignment in St. Louis. All pieces are hand-selected and comprised of both high-end designer labels and popular contemporary brands. With more than 2,000 consignors and fresh merchandise hitting the floor daily, there is always something new to discover at Byrd.
How and why did you start your business? Byrd has been offering the style conscious women of St. Louis luxury consignment since 2002. The current owner, Sierra Stream, took over in 2021 and loves providing the community with a unique, high-quality, and sustainable shopping destination in today’s fast-fashion world.
What product should people buy from you right now? Chanel patent ankle-strap heels for $995.
Extra Virgin: An Olive Ovation: Alicia Shroff
What does your business do and offer? We sell artisanal, estate-produced extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, gourmet foods, housewares, wine, and cheese.
How and why did you start your business? Our business began in 2007, when former owner Marianne Prey saw a need in St. Louis for a store focused on high-quality oil and vinegar as a key component to a healthy, fulfilling Mediterranean diet. We acquired the store last fall and are thrilled to carry on her mission.
What product should people buy from you right now? Our house bottled extra virgin olive oils. They’re perfect for cooking, salads, finishing, and enjoying on a daily basis. Purchase a bottle, and bring it back for refills. It’s environmentally friendly and healthy.
Blown Away Blow Dry Bar: J.J. Krane
What does your business do and offer? Beautiful blowouts and makeup for weddings, events, and more.
How and why did you start your business? I thought the blow dry bar concept was so fabulous and wanted to bring it to St. Louis. I love being an owner of a small business—11 years and still blowing our clients away!
What product should people buy from you right now? IGK Good Behavior protein smoothing spray.
Cassie’s Fragrance Boutique & Scent Bar: Cassie Buell
What does your business do and offer? Custom blends at the Scent Bar and home fragrances, including Lampe Berger.
How and why did you start your business? I bought the business in 2005, after 15 years as the store manager.
What product should people buy from you right now? Their own unique, personal fragrance.
YLANG YLANG: Julie Ettinger
What does your business do and offer? We curate the coolest designer jewelry from around the world and bring it to St. Louis, as well as creating custom design projects for our valued clients.
How and why did you start your business? Every Christmas, our family would head to Bal Harbour, Florida, and while exploring the city, my parents and I stumbled upon a tiny French boutique known as YLANG YLANG and fell in love with this jewel of a store. Lolo, my mom, was the driving force in bringing this concept to St. Louis, and so it began in 1985. Since then, YLANG YLANG has evolved into the place for the quintessential jewelry lover to find designer jewelry curated by us. Now, 39 years later, we are fortunate that we have cultivated the most loyal clients and designers along the way.
What product should people buy from you right now? Bold Gold and European diamonds.
This post was created by SLM Partner Studio on behalf of Colonial Marketplace. To learn more, visit www.instagram.com/colonialmarketplacestl.
