Vivid Vibes Boutique sells "oversized, comfy-cute" clothing pieces along with accessories and jewelry online and at its Garrettsville and Mantua locations. Isabella Schreck/The Portager

Vivid Vibes Boutique opens second location in Mantua with goal of helping customers feel confident

With many pieces straight from Beverly Hills, California, Vivid Vibes Boutique now has two locations to bring new, size-inclusive looks to the streets of Portage County.

Best-friend duo Shay Carmichael, the business’ owner, and Kim Reeder, its manager, opened their second spot inside LuLu Tru salon at 4690 E. Prospect St. in Mantua Nov. 10 and held a ribbon cutting for the new business Nov. 23.

(From left to right) Kim Reed, Shay Carmichael and Amanda Lipply celebrate the ribbon cutting of Vivid Vibes’ new location in Mantua. Photo courtesy Shay Carmichael

The boutique, which has another location in Garrettsville and a website for online purchases, sells XS to 5X apparel with an “oversized, comfy-cute style,” according to Carmichael. Accessories like hats, purses and belts and items for children, teens and brides-to-be are also sold. Along with locally-made skin care products, the shop even offers permanent, or welded, jewelry.

“We try to offer something for everybody, and we always just try to make anyone that comes in comfortable,” Reeder said. “It’s not about forcing them to buy something; it’s about them getting something that they’ll actually wear.”

Before opening her own boutique, Carmichael used to sell jewelry, scarves and accessories online. Once she saved up enough money, the entrepreneur opened up shop in Garrettsville.

“I’ve always been into fashion,” the alumna of Garrettsville’s James A. Garfield High School said. “It’s just always been my dream.”

The first Vivid Vibes Boutique location at 9995 state Route 88 in Garrettsville opened in October 2023, inside renovated office space of Carmichael’s husband’s company, JC Electric. It is open Monday and Thursday-Sunday. The Mantua location is open Wednesday-Sunday. Updated store hours and other information can be found on the boutique’s Facebook page.

Isabella Schreck/The Portager

Many items come from vendors in Beverly Hills, and Carmichael talks to her customer base to stay up to date on what they are most interested in buying.

For women looking for a new pair of favorite jeans, the business owner said her boutique has the perfect option.

“Everybody loves the Judy Blue jeans because they fit like leggings, and they fit to your body, so you put them on, and they adjust to your body,” she said. “Only boutiques can sell those.”

The shop can also make special orders for people interested in items not in store or online, Reeder said.

At the start of it all, Reeder began tagging clothes for weeks on end at the Vivid Vibes Boutique in Garrettsville. More than a year later, the business has become her second home.

“[Shay] needed help, and then we both shared the same love, the same passion,” Reeder said. “It just makes it not even work. We always have fun.”

It’s usually just Reeder and Carmichael splitting their time between both shops. On Saturdays, Anne Wohlever comes in to work the counter. Amanda Lipply highlights her own permanent jewelry business by offering services on the weekends.

When deciding on a Mantua location, Carmichael said she wanted to open in Lulu Tru Holistic Beauty & Wellness, owned by long-time friend Dawn Patterson-Hornak, to collaborate with another women-owned business. The village has embraced Vivid Vibes these last two months, Carmichael said.

(From left to right) Anne Wohlever, Shay Carmichael, Amanda Lipply and Kim Reeder work together to run and promote Vivid Vibes Boutique. Photo courtesy Shay Carmichael

“It’s been wonderful,” Carmichael said. “They’ve been very welcoming. Mantua has been amazing. The president of commerce showed up for our grand opening here two weeks ago to introduce himself, and then he sent emails out to everyone, which was really amazing.”

For the one-year anniversary of its Garrettsville location, Carmichael and her team brought in local vendors, snacks and hayrides. In October, a haunted hayride and tarot card reading at the boutique celebrated Halloween. A holiday card photo session in November gave families a chance to get ready for the season. A young adult vendor event, where teens 17 and up can promote their own brand, is set for Dec. 8.

The boutique also has a focus on giving back to the community. Earlier this year, the team collected donated prom dresses for students in the area to come in and pick one out – for free.

With these events and initiatives, glimmering seasonal decor and trendy styles, Carmichael and Reeder said they want to create a positive, inviting atmosphere for everyone who checks out their boutiques.

“It’s women supporting women,” Reeder said. “We always try to go a little over the top and be helpful. We always want it to be fun when you walk in.”

Isabella Schreck
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