Over the past few months, Keith and Monica Wall have transformed a vacant retail building in Walkertown into a space where they can pursue what they call their mission to uplift others through positive self-image and support.
Their store, Boutique Squared, offers clothing for men, women, and children. The Walls plan to have their grand opening on Saturday, Dec. 6, at 10 a.m.
After her weight loss journey, Monica Wall said, she became interested in styling clothes, and others around her noticed the boost in her confidence.
“People would tell me, ‘Monica, why don’t you take your talent and make it work for you?’ Because they started seeing how I was dressing and how I’m such a people person, so they really encouraged me to go forward and do what I love to do, and I’m all into clothes and decorating,” she said.
Keith Wall is a welder and printer and plans to have his own area in the back of the store.
“I have a print shop that I’m going put in the back here, so I could do custom shirts to do for the shop,” he said.
Keith Wall said he aims to create meaningful relationships and give back to the community.
“We don’t want to just sell you a shirt or something. We want a relationship. We want to know you and we want to be here to serve the community and be beneficial to them,” he said. “We just want to give encouragement to the community and be here for them. We tell our customers who come in that they don’t have to buy from us if you come in, you can just come in and talk.”
He also wants the store to be a welcoming space for women to recharge and connect.
“We’re all about empowerment, and especially women’s empowerment. We want to be a place where we can make you feel good and look good,” he said. “We’re wanting to figure out some things that we can do at the shop, like having a women’s day out, where they meet up here and just have refreshments and take a break away from stress and their work life.”
As the Walls have supported a loved one through mental health challenges, Keith Wall hopes that the store can become a platform to support people who are facing similar challenges.
“We don’t want to make mental health something that we don’t talk about. If you feel some way, say something. Don’t hold on to it by yourself and let it build up. There are people that care about you. We want to be that caring shoulder that will listen and understand people without judgment,” he said.
Boutique Squared is at 6390 Walnut Cove Road in Walkertown.
