New clothing store seeks to help women, juniors blossom

Be Blossom Boutique is warm, spacious and filled with a soft, neutral light from light cream walls revealing the colors and textures of the clothes and jewelry Amanda He has carefully curated for women and juniors at this new clothing store on 161 W. Washington St.

The store is stocked with “a little bit of everything, so when families come in there’s something for everyone, teens through grandparents,” He said.

Clothes range from scarves, jackets and dresses to sweaters, leggings and more.

With necklaces, He said she likes “a dainty, simple look” and she chose earrings, many large but light, with the thought to avoid the kind that drag on the ears.

Sequim Gazette photos BY Emily Matthiessen
Amanda He’s shop Be Blossom Boutique holds its grand opening at the end of November. The earrings to the right of He are large but light, and behind are some of the blooming orchids that grace the shop.

Sequim Gazette photos BY Emily Matthiessen Amanda He’s shop Be Blossom Boutique holds its grand opening at the end of November. The earrings to the right of He are large but light, and behind are some of the blooming orchids that grace the shop.

She described some of the garments as “flowy” and others as form-fitting. When choosing stock, she keeps in mind that women have many different body types.

“I look at the fit,” He said. “I picked some ‘flowy’ things so it would fit a variety of people from curvy to petite.”

When choosing stock for her grand opening, He said she looked at “which companies are good, quality-wise.

“I try my best to find good quality for everyone, and a good price,” she said, noting she seeks to have her clothes affordable for all.

Inside Be Blossom Boutique, Spotify plays Christmas music softly in the background and all around the store are subtle, minimalist touches of decor. Comfortable chairs provide a place to sit for those waiting for members of their party to try on garments in one of the two dressing rooms.

Sequim Gazette photo by Emily Matthiessen / Be Blossom Boutique, a new women’s and juniors’ clothing store at 161 W. Washington St., features garments for all body types.

Sequim Gazette photo by Emily Matthiessen / Be Blossom Boutique, a new women’s and juniors’ clothing store at 161 W. Washington St., features garments for all body types.

The business’ Nov. 30 ribbon-cutting hosted a large turnout. Elizabeth Pratt, the Sequim-Dungeness Valley Chamber of Commerce’s executive director, said that the “shop adds another option for women’s clothing, which I think is always welcome.

“Her clothing lines are different from what Mad Maggie’s and Solar City have to offer, giving women a great variety in where to find new wardrobe staples. Her prices are affordable, and her accessory selection adds the potential for a lot of gift shopping just in time for the holidays.”

Pratt praised He’s aesthetic capability: “Amanda has a wonderful sense of design and style; her merchandise shines through her displays and her selection is outstanding.”

Finding her career path

The 2019 Sequim High School graduate said that she had “been preparing for over a month, working day and night after work.”

Be Blossom Boutique, a new women’s and juniors’ clothing store at 161 W. Washington St., features garments for all body types.

Be Blossom Boutique, a new women’s and juniors’ clothing store at 161 W. Washington St., features garments for all body types.

He has been a server at the Paradise since she was 16. She said that working there is a “good experience” because it’s where she learns about people and practices communication — “I was pretty shy and it helped me get out of the shell,” she said — along with multi-tasking and other skills.

While working and going to high school, He also attended Peninsula College, beginning with the Running Start program.

“When I was in college I was trying to explore what I really wanted to do,” she said, noting that when she was younger, “I wanted to be a fashion designer, but that wasn’t realistic (because it is so competitive).”

She said that the fashion marketing class in high school and some of the classes that she took to earn her two-year associate of arts degree — including social media marketing and communications — were helpful, but that in searching for a career as she studied, “nothing made me go forward.

”I looked into a lot of things … [but] at the back of my mind was owning a clothes shop.”

At the grand opening of Be Blossom Boutique on Nov. 30, Sequim-Dungeness Valley Chamber of Commerce members and other celebrants shop for women’s clothing and jewelry.

At the grand opening of Be Blossom Boutique on Nov. 30, Sequim-Dungeness Valley Chamber of Commerce members and other celebrants shop for women’s clothing and jewelry.

He said that her large family and friends have been “super supportive” and “encouraging.”

Said He, “Without them I wouldn’t have gotten to my dream.”

She named her shop Be Blossom Boutique because she wants “people to blossom once they have shopped here. I want people to feel comfortable in what they bought here.

“I want them to blossom in our clothes.”

Be Blossom Boutique

Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Saturday

Location: 161 W. Washington St.

Phone: 360-477-4225

On the web: facebook, and instagram.com/beblossomboutique