There is a new business downtown with Three Chic Dames Boutique opening its doors on Second Street earlier this month.
Three Chic Dames Boutique had its selection set up in Jan Marie’s Flea Market, but when the Main Street business closed the boutique needed a place to go. It decided to set up shop at 318 ½ Second St., which is next door to The Columbian-Progress.
Amanda Pickett co-owns the boutique with her sister, Selena Morgan, and mom, Pam Dickerson, and grew up in Marion County, graduating from West Marion.
“We know we have loyalty here with a good following,” Pickett said. “People already knew us here. They supported us really. We love Columbia and the feel of the small town.”
What sets the boutique apart is its Western-style clothing, often associated with rodeos, along with having loud colors.
“We wanted to bring something that was little bit different to Columbia,” Pickett said.
Three Chic Dames also has plus sizes. Its brands include Crazy Train, which specializes in Western clothing, bright colors and mixed prints, L&B, another Texas Western brand and usual boutique brands like Audi, Cello and KanCan. Pickett said Crazy Train illustrates the family’s personality in one clothing line.
“We have loud personalities, and Crazy Train kind of embodies us with how we are,” she said. “L&B is close to the same thing as Crazy Train, but it’s a little bit more subdued. They do have a lot more of the rodeo Western wear with the fringe vests, bellbottoms, dusters and stuff like that.”
The reason the family started the boutique is because Pickett’s parents fund orphanages in Africa through The Last Call Ministries, and 10% of the boutique’s sales every month goes to The Last Call Ministries.
Pickett said she wants the business to grow and open more locations throughout Mississippi, Texas and Tennessee to donate more to the orphanages.
“I consider this a way to help others,” she said. “I also believe every woman deserves to be confident. A lot of people come in and say they don’t know how to style themselves or don’t feel confident in what they’re wearing so we like to help them. When we were in Jan Marie’s, we weren’t actually there or able to really help people put outfits together. Now we’re able to see their faces, meet them and really get involved in the community. Now when they walk out and have this outfit, they feel 100% better about themselves.”
Since opening Feb. 7, business has steadily increased at Three Chic Dames as more people in the community recognize it has opened its own location.
The boutique also sells jewelry, including Pink Panache, which specializes in handmade Western-type jewelry. Pickett said Pink Panache uses real crystals and real leather and creates high-quality products. It also sells fashion jewelry and footwear.
“We sell Montana West, which is also Western-based and has flip flops, boots and purses,” Pickett added.
Three Chic Dames is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. and can be contacted at (601) 550-8789. It also sells its products online at www.threechicdames.com.
With the recent Christmas celebrations and events throughout Columbia, Pickett said the city is going places and her family wants to be involved in helping its progression.
The boutique also offers 20% off to all firefighters, police officers and clergy.
