Over the course of the past dozen years, I’ve been asked on occasion to squash a rumor or two for Monica Bolin. For whatever reason every once in a while somebody would start the rumor that she was going out of business or closing up shop of whatever. It was never true. In fact, her Moxie’s Boutique at the crossroads in the central business district of downtown St. Joseph is coming up on her 13th Anniversary in business.
As Monica has reflected on that milestone and contemplated her own future, she tells me that she has made the decision to place her business on the market. Yes, Moxie’s Boutique in downtown St. Joseph in for sale.
Inspired by the success of prior owners of both Edgewater Gifts and Perennial Accents in recent years when they made it known that their enterprises were up for sale, but stayed up and running until the right buyers came along for those businesses, Monica told me this morning, “I am hoping that Moxie’s will have the same fate!”
The highly successful entrepreneur who has brought exceptional life, color, and verve to the corner of State and Broad Streets at the key crossroads of downtown adds, “What I would love is if someone who has always had this dream – to be surrounded by beautiful clothes, accessories, and women – would come along and purchase the business. To take a turnkey business with a loyal following, and tweak it to make it your own!” That is now her mission.
Recognizing that Southwest Michigan, like many other communities across the state and nation have lost a huge number of retail stores, she knows — and is living proof — that unique ventures like hers not only survive in the midst of the chaos, but thrive as well. She says, “It would be wonderful if Moxie’s – or a version of it – could stay for years to come,” in the central business district of a thriving lakefront community.
As she approaches her 13th Anniversary, she admits its hard to believe that it’s been that long, saying, “It’s been an amazing journey! We have proudly served customers of all ages, helping them choose from quality USA and Canadian fashions.” She humbly adds, “We are so grateful to our loyal following of over 5,300 Facebook fans – many of whom have been with us the entire 12 years and have become lifelong friends – and many of whom have gone from career to retirement.”
It’s that very thought that spurs Monica’s current drive for a successor. She admits, “That’s where I find myself – dreaming of more time in each day to pursue the things that matter most in life.” She notes, “Personally, Moxie’s took our youngest child from kindergarten to a graduate of St Joseph High Schoo, and we’ve been blessed with four additional grandchildren, bringing our total to seven.”
But…she’s not going to simply walk away, telling me, “Until a buyer is found, the plan is to continue to run Moxie’s for the foreseeable future. You’ve all met my daughters Jessica and Niki, as well as my granddaughter Farrah Rose. This summer you will have an opportunity to get to know my youngest child, Elle. We’ve always felt multi-generational staff enhance the shopping experience.” So, that’s where they’ll be…one big family keeping a 12 year tradition alive until the next dreamer finds a match with the perfect retail boutique with a huge following and many, many serviceable years to come.
If you are interested in the potential of owning the high profile Moxie’s Boutique at 321 State Street in downtown St. Joseph, feel free to contact Monica Bolin, owner and operator, by email at BoutiqueOwner@yahoo.com. Monica says that although she has “no rigid timeframe” in mind for the sale of her business, she “would like to wind down by the end of this year.”
There you go, folks. A turnkey business with a healthy, happy clientele, simply looking for a successor to the keys for the front door, and those beautiful, lifelike mannequins with names of their own who don’t talk back and do whatever you want them to do. Check it out.
