Bringing women's fashions and accessories to the Madison Square business district in southeast Grand Rapids wasn't what owner Kristian Grant thought she'd be doing when she hit age 25. But the budding entrepreneur says she couldn't pass up the opportunity
LINC Community Revitalization's retail incubator program provided. So she opened
Sydney's Boutique (1258 Madison Ave. SE) a few months ago and hasn't looked back.
"I thought this [store] would be something I'd do when I was retired and sitting on a beach," Grant says with a laugh. "I was blogging about being a young professional in West Michigan and was looking for a reason to stay here. I wanted to do something that would leave a mark. When I sat down with LINC and talked to them about their [incubator] program, I thought this would be perfect."
The shop, named after Grant's eight-year-old daughter Sydney, has a unique selection of women's business, casual and evening attire in sizes zero to 28. Shoppers will find delightful jewelry items, chic purses, phone accessories and other fashion-forward items, as well. The boutique also offers an extensive online shopping selection at
www.sydneysboutiquegr.com.
LINC's business incubator program is a three-year program that offers business owners one-on-one assistance with marketing, legal advice, accounting and other business services at reduced rates or free. All participants meet as a group each month, and many have storefront spaces at reduced rates.
"I could have started my own store and decided to create some change myself," Grant says. "But LINC has a real niche in this community. Ten years ago, Madison Square wasn't like this. LINC is really creating a space where kids and families can be, and I decided to be a part of it."
Hours: Thurs. and Fri., 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Sat. noon to 7; and open by appointment.
Source: Kristian Grant, Sydney's Boutique
Writer: Deborah Johnson Wood, Development News Editor
Enjoy this story?
Sign up for free solutions-based reporting in your inbox each week.