If You’re Literally Just a Girl
Downtown Aberdeen officially has a women’s boutique open for business, Imperative Shop at 103 B West Main Street. In the shop you’ll find a variety of clothes (now including jeans!), hats and other accesories. And because owner Ashley Villa loves to work with other businesses, she’s brining in candles, soaps and scrubs all in what will be her signature store scent. She is also working on expanding her athleisure section.
Now that the business owner has a brick and mortar she has combined her side hustle – a custom charm bar – into a permanent shop feature: Charmed By Imperative. Customer can build their own charm bracelets, necklaces and keychains.
Making her business experience based is important to Ashley so each Third Thursday in Aberdeen she plans to stay open until 8 p.m. and feature some kind of free craft. She also plans to bring in some workshop style classes here and there. “I feel like I’m really able to tap into my creative side now,” says Ashley, who also thrifted much of the shop’s decor locally.
When we chatted with Ashley back in July, she said everyone has been extremely welcoming to her and the shop adding that “Aberdeen is the place to be.” She hopes to see more clothing retail move into the downtown in the future.
“This is my true dream job. I love shopping so it doesn’t feel like work,” says Ashley, “My closet is bursting at the seams so the fact that I get to shop but don’t necessarily have to bring it home is great.” Store hours are Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Saturday, Aug. 23, noon: Stop in for the grand opening featuring giveaways from local businesses, small bites, mimosas, a raffle for 40% off the rest of the year and a ribbon cutting.
