Today we’d like to introduce you to Katherine Treacy.
Hi Katherine, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
After spending a fun weekend in Nisswa in 2018, I had the thought of opening a cute boutique with Minnesota wears and women’s clothing here in the cities. I had 3 small kids so I started pretty simply. I opened 32 North Boutique out of my home in October 2018. I did pop ups and sold online to begin and eventually grew enough to rent a small space in downtown Chaska. It was just a tiny room in an office building but I loved the community of businesses in Chaska and the fun events the city put on throughout the year. One day I was driving to work and saw a for sale sign on a barbershop. I made a quick call to our friend who works in commercial real estate, set up a showing and quickly put in an offer. We bought the barbershop in January of 2020. It took 6 weeks to flip it and we opened on February 14, 2020. I’ve endured starting a business at the beginning of covid, dealing with product shortages, insane shipping price increases, and now homeschooling kids. In 2022 I am hoping to regain some sense of normalcy with in person events, and people feeling ready to shop in person again.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
It was mostly smooth sailing until I bought my current storefront. We bought it in the literal worst possible time. My grand opening was 3 weeks before Covid shut down Minnesota completely. Then May 2020 came around and I was just starting to plan my re-opening when the Riots began downtown. There was much humming about it coming to the suburbs and I had to make panicked phone calls to my insurance agent to make sure my store was covered in case of damage from riots. I remember going there that weekend and sitting in the parking lot and all of the tears coming out at once. It was by far, my breaking point. By the grace of God, I made it through that time, and officially re-opened in June. Business was slow. People were rightfully scared. All Events canceled. My online shopping community on Facebook is what pulled me through. They continued to shop, and we continued to do life together as an online community going through a collective crazy time.
We’ve been impressed with 32 North Boutique, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
32 North Boutique was named for two reasons. 1: I was 32 when I started in and 2: Minnesota was the 32’nd state and I wanted to give some homage to our great State. I sell women’s clothing in size S-3x, home decor and Minnesota themed clothing and gifts. I aim to have every piece of clothing be something that women will feel good in, That means it needs to be on trend, comfortable, flattering, and a good price point. I truly believe that when women feel good in their clothes, they exude confidence. There is absolutely nothing more attractive than a confident woman.
I am most proud of running this store by myself. I have some amazing women that help me work some shifts, but most everything else I do by myself. Website design, product sourcing, marketing, etc. I am a true “small business” and am very proud of that. I am a mom of three kids ages 11,9, and 8. I homeschool them and have learned a lot over the years to best balance it all. I have select hours at the shop because of this. My store is only open Thursday, Friday and Saturday 10-2, because that’s what works for my life. It’s also when downtown Chaska is most busy and I’ve tried to meet the needs of most of my customers as well.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
From the very conception of my store, I knew that first and foremost that my first job was raising my kids. Everything else had to work between that. Being my own boss has afforded me that luxury. The second most important thing is the online community that surrounds my business. I have a Facebook group with my closest customers and friends. I share simple fun things from recipes, to style tips, and showcase all my new products every week. My store feels the same. I love when regulars come in!! I often have the time when people are shopping to get to know them and it’s one of my favorite parts of the job. Community is truly the essence of my store.
Contact Info:
- Email: kate@32northboutique.com
- Website: 32northboutique.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/32_north_boutique/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/32northboutique
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/32-north-boutique-chaska
