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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Boutique celebrates one-year milestone

Juli Bergstrom Wasson

Shopkeepers Donna Clark and daughter Kelsie agree their favorite “color” is bling. And one step into the interior of their women’s clothing and accessory store in Millwood reveals color and sparkle with plenty of shiny bling to go around.

“We do have a lot of bling on everything,” Clark admitted, showcasing rhinestone-clad pockets on jeans, decorated T-shirts and homemade glittered and beaded belt buckles.

Clark owns Strut Side Street Boutique in the quaint brick storefronts of Euclid Avenue, although her shop’s entrance is around the corner in a remodeled section that had been used mostly for storage. The small shop is full of color and glitz with its main feature being moderately priced denim jeans.

Strut is sectioned into three spaces: the main area for clothes and accessories, another for the recent addition of Zaki Organics skincare, and another for a dressing room and consignment gowns.

The addition of Zaki Organics, created locally by Amber Doyle who relocated there last month from a nearby space, has allowed Clark to increase store hours as she also works full-time as an insurance agent and her daughter attends Eastern Washington University.

They will celebrate the one-year anniversary of Strut during Millwood’s First Friday activities on June 1 and plan to offer store specials and treats. About a year before opening the shop, Clark showcased her inventory at special events with a temporary booth. She and Kelsie order items mainly from online vendors.

“A lot of this started when Kelsie was in high school and I went to the mall and saw all the cute clothes and realized I couldn’t afford all that,” said Clark, adding that she is committed to reasonable and competitive pricing, with tops mostly in the $15 to $20 range and jeans not higher than $45.

“I don’t sell name brands,” she said. “We have cute clothes that everyone can wear – for all age groups.”

Clark continues to set up her sales booths at various functions and oftentimes offers a portion of sales to the event, such as local dance invitationals and cancer awareness benefits.

“Everybody involved in Strut believes in the importance of paying it forward and giving back to the community,” Clark said.