New Store in Five Points, Columbia, SC Opening This Weekend!
Atlanta-based Dakotas Boutique will open in Columbia’s Five Points This Weekend
Dakotas Boutique, based out of Atlanta, GA, will open its doors to Columbia, SC this weekend for a soft opening event. The boutique prides itself on bringing the latest bohemian fashions from Los Angeles to the East coast at affordable prices.
Dakotas Boutique offers both a unique retail store and online shopping experience, offering National brands such as Free People, Show Me Your Mumu and Fletch by Joelle Fletcher of ABC’s “The Bachelorette” franchise, and of course, those fabulous little finds in the fashion district of LA. Unlike shopping at a department store, Dakotas carries exclusive, unique fashions that you won’t be able to find anywhere else.
“We are ecstatic about our move to Columbia and cannot wait for the doors to open,” owner and founder Laurie Corwin says.
Laurie’s daughter and Director of Online Sales and Marketing, Zoe Corwin, is a recent USC graduate and Regional Sales Manager Catherine Wooditch is a South Carolina native, so the move to Columbia was an easy decision for the Dakotas team to make.
“We really fell in love with Five Points while visiting Zoe in college and realized how special of a place it is,” Laurie continues. “The vibe and people here are fabulous!”
Whether you are a college student, a career gal or a busy mom, you are sure to find a beautiful piece of clothing or a stunning accessory that perfectly suits your personal style at Dakotas. Dakotas strives to offer unique clothing as each piece in their collection is carefully hand-selected by team members at national fashion industry events in places such as LA and NYC.
Dakotas Boutique originally started as an online store in Laurie’s own basement in 2013 when Laurie, out shopping, realized a need in the marketplace for somewhere both moms and daughters can shop and find an outfit that will be sure to make someone ask, “Where did you get that?!” The idea, which is now a reality, was to create a clothing boutique to find unique styles that you cannot find in a department store or at the mall.
“The idea for Dakotas came to me when shopping with my daughters,” Laurie states. “I just wondered why there wasn’t a place where my daughters and I could both shop and find an outfit that no one else would have. There’s nothing worse than showing up at work or at a social event in the exact same outfit as someone else!"
After starting Dakotas Boutique more than five years ago, Laurie’s daughters, Graphic Designer Allie and Zoe, have officially joined the Dakotas team after graduating college. Laurie and the entire Dakotas team are thrilled for this new chapter for Dakotas as they prepare to open in Five Points.
“It’s amazing to not only see my idea come to fruition, but to also be able to share it with my girls who now work alongside me,” Laurie explains. “We just cannot wait to show the people of Columbia what Dakotas has to offer them!”
After being online only for a year, Laurie opened the first retail location of Dakotas Boutique in Atlanta, GA on the Historic Marietta Square where the business thrived for over four years. Customers were receptive and welcoming to the idea of finally being able to shop for exclusive and unique clothing at an affordable price somewhere other than a department store. Now, Dakotas is bringing this exclusive, affordable, bohemian feel to the people of Five Points.
The store will have a soft opening starting this weekend on Sept. 28 and will have a grand opening event in October. Dakotas is located next to Starbucks in Five Points at 745 Saluda Ave. The store hours will be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays.
