Venture into retail becomes passion for Ophelia owner

Owning a business was not something Patrice Parson had envisioned for herself, let alone beginning a franchise.

She began teaching 18 years ago and is a behavior specialist in the Farmington School District. But last summer, Parson took a leap of faith and joined the retail world.

In the winter of 2013, the previous owner of Ophelia approached Parson, trying to sell the Farmington, Missouri, store. At first, Parson quickly dismissed the idea, but she couldn't let it die.

"I just hated the thought of her closing because it was the only boutique in town, and that's where I like to shop and my girls shop there, and then I just decided ... 'You know what, let's just do it, because we cannot lose this shop in town,'" Parson said. "So [my husband and I] opened it and kept it open, and it is one of the best things we did."

The store opened in June 2013 and exactly a year later, Parson opened her second location, this time in downtown Cape Girardeau.

Kind Soap Co. items are available at Ophelia in Cape Girardeau. (Laura Simon)

"I knew I wanted to be downtown. I liked the old building, I liked the old heritage, you know, a boutique belongs in the old part of town, and it was just the feel and the atmosphere and the camaraderie among the other merchants. That's just what I like, that's what I really like," Parson said.

There was a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the boutique July 1, making Ophelia's entrance official downtown.

She runs the store with two other employees, but is searching for a daytime manager before school begins in August. Parson splits her time between Cape Girardeau and Farmington, but once school starts, her plan is to just "see how it goes."

Since opening in the beginning of June, Parson has quickly adjusted to the ongoing downtown events. Between First Fridays, Tunes at Twilight and the recent Fourth of July fireworks, she has constantly had to have fresh merchandise on hand.

"I was actually open for two days before the First Friday in June. June 4 was my very first day and the First Friday was on June 6. So we did. The other businesses are just so wonderful down here, they came in and were like, 'OK, so here's what First Friday is,' and they explained First Friday and Tunes at Twilight -- I mean they explained everything," Parson said. "Well it just so happened that same weekend the merchants had got together and decided to have a sidewalk sale. So, fortunately, I had the other store and so I went up there and got some items and I wanted to participate, even though I was the new kid on the block. It was wonderful. In fact, I have talked extensively about the First Friday concept and how amazing that is, even though I've only experienced it once."

Shoes are one of many items available at the Ophelia store. (Laura Simon)

Parson orders all of her clothes online and puts a lot of consideration into what she displays in her vintage-chic boutique. Between an 18-year-old daughter and a mother in her 70s, Parson has all the feedback she needs when choosing merchandise.

"I don't have a specific customer base; I don't just hit the 20s or the 30s. If I had to base it on my No. 1 customer, she's mid-60s. She loves this place; she's in here maybe two, three times a week," she said. "I would say that although we typically focus on the late teens to 40s, [it's because of] our style and the uniqueness our clothing covers."

The Farmington and Cape Girardeau stores vary in their merchandise, Parson said. She has a loyal customer base and likes to give patrons options if they make a trip to both locations.

This may not be the end of the Ophelia franchise, Parson said. She has no plans to open a third location, but is not opposed to the idea, either. She and her husband tend to go south when looking at locations, but she has no idea why. Parson just said she loves the stores and making people happy with her merchandise.

"I think my absolute favorite part, outside getting to open the clothes and it's like Christmas every time we open a new order, is the fact that I mean, in this job you get to make people smile. Like people don't leave here upset or with a bad day, a lot of time we are their retail therapy, so that is probably my absolute favorite part," she said. "I'm a total people person, so I love the part where you just get to make people feel good."

smaue@semissourian.com

388-3644

pertinent address:

125 North Main Street, Cape Girardeau