Cotton Pickin Cute opens

A new entrepreneur, Kenya Wright, opened the doors to her new shop, Cotton Pickin Cute Boutique & More, on Saturday, Feb. 29, at 10 a.m. She chose Leap Day for her grand opening.

When the clock struck 10 a.m. the doors were open and the store was filled with customers looking for a unique item for a gift, décor for their home, summertime sandals and shirts and pants.

The store is cozy, rustic and quaintly inviting that is filled with homemade dress racks to keep in style with the décor. Filled with homemade door hangers and signs for all occasions, there are tables with necklaces and earrings, the Lion’s Den items with koozies, metal cups, wristbands for soccer, baseball and softball markings. Other items include hand towels, pillows, propane starter wooden blocks with encouraging words written them, plates that can be personalized and outdoor flags to place in the yard announcing spring, summer, fall and winter along with holiday prints.

Wright said she will have the equipment to personalize any item in the store and that will include embroidery, personalizing plates and wooden hangers. She said, “We can personalize just about anything we have here in the shop.”

The boutique is a vision Wright has had in her mind and brought it to reality when she made the final decision to open her own business. While working eight plus hours a day she would return home to relax painting her homemade items which she advertised for sale on her Facebook page. She has the talent and the decorative eye to bring inventory that is unique to her shop. There will be a little of everything for everyone. She said, “I want to keep my prices affordable for everyone who comes in to shop.”

In the Christmas movie,  Miracle on 34th Street the Macy’s Santa implemented a policy to assure parents can purchase gifts for their children sending them to Gimbels Department Store. As in the movie Wright said, “If someone wants to rent or purchase a tuxedo, men’s shoes, shirts or socks I will send them to Wolperts’;” she continued, “and if someone wants a gift that I am not able to provide I direct them to Loris Drug Store.” She stated this is a way to keep customers shopping locally and believes shop owners should help support one another.

Art classes will be offered in the paint room set in a bright sunny room just off the main floor. She will schedule paint parties soon. She said this is a great way for parents to have birthday parties for their children or a parent’s night out to paint something of their own to take with them and proudly display in their home knowing they painted it themselves.

Wright has a dependable yet strong family support system with her husband Cory and two daughters ,Callie and Cloey.  Callie said, “I helped select the jewelry, we teamed up with both of our age groups to know what people would want to buy.”  Cloey has her mother’s eye for decorating; she hung the lights in the windows and helped with the tied material that hangs on another window. Cory has the machinery and tools to cut out the wooden pieces Wright designs. She said, “It truly is a family business.”  Her brother, Woody, traveled from Georgia to help with the grand opening. He ran the cash register.  Wright’s mother spent time baking and decorating cupcakes for the opening day to offer customers. Kent and Tammy Wright were at the shop with more family support which brings that old atmosphere of strong values.

Once the customers arrived Wright welcomed everyone who came to support her, not just family but the friends who came to the grand opening and new adventure. She said, “My family is my heart, and I appreciate each and every one who is here today to celebrate the grand opening of my dream.” She turned to her family saying, “You have helped to make my dream a reality, thanks to my family.”  Wright choked up when she stated how thankful she is to God, to her friends, to the guests but mostly her family for being with her every step into this new endeavor. Her father-in-law, Kent Wright, offered the opening prayer asking the Lord to continue to guide his family and bring blessings to all.

The first customer, Kaila Bonnett, brought her children to the boutique to shop for items they would like. Once she had the receipt in hand with a smile said, “I found some money and I knew exactly where I was going to spend it today.”

A new beginning brings excitement, challenges and successful accomplishments with a welcoming manner which brings to mind the quote from Hope Floats Birdie, “Beginnings are scary, endings are sad, it’s what is in the middle that counts; when you find yourself at a new beginning give hope a chance to float up and it will”.

Store hours are Tuesday through Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m  to 3 p.m.