By Emily Cowen
The Dominion Post, Morgantown, W.Va.
WWR Article Summary (tl;dr) Brittany Warnick and her Oaks & Derby Boutique landed the No. 2 slot of the “Top 5 Boutiques in the Nation” Reader’s Choice Award in the February 2016 issue of Gladys Magazine. It’s great to know female business ownership is flourishing in W. Va. Go Brittany!
Morgantown, W.Va.
Oaks & Derby Boutique strives to exemplify a unique style of clothing and accessories best described as “City sass meets southern class.”
“I really like the Kentucky derby and the styles of the spring that they had there,” owner and buyer of the boutique Brittany Warnick said. “So I did a little bit of research on the Kentucky Derby, and I found out they also have a Kentucky Oaks. So I was like, ‘What a cool concept.’ ”
The company was originally located in Morgantown in 2014, but Warnick decided to move the location to Kingwood, her hometown, last November. The boutique mirrors her bold fashion sense while catering to women of all ages.
“I’ve had people in here from age 15 into their 70’s,” Warnick said. “So when I say literally every woman, it’s every woman.”
One of the perks of Warnick’s job is getting customers to branch out of their comfort zones by trying on clothing they would not ordinarily wear.
“But they look gorgeous in it, and they love it and they end up wearing it,” said Warnick.
The boutique offers shoppers a friendly and inviting atmosphere to peruse merchandise.
“I think everyone that comes here is family,” Warnick said, noting that the company is like a home to frequent customers and models who represent the boutique’s clothing and accessories.
Jenn Ash became a loyal customer of Oaks & Derby Boutique when she discovered the wide range of sizes available there. She said Warnick always goes the extra mile by helping her piece together outfits.
“[Warnick] goes above and beyond, and she loves her business,” Ash said. “I think she wants to make a difference in the community.
Warnick previously worked for the Rape and Domestic Violence Information Center, and now she makes it a priority to involve her boutique in fashion shows during domestic violence awareness month each year. The boutique also participates in a variety of community events and fundraisers.
“Just being able to help the community has been the biggest part of the growth,” Warnick said. “I love to do the fundraisers and the shows.”
Oaks & Derby Boutique landed the No. 2 slot of the “Top 5 Boutique in the Nation” Reader’s Choice Award in the February 2016 issue of Gladys Magazine.
Warnick said it was awesome to win a national award “right here in little, old Kingwood.”
An online shopping platform is available for computer savvy fashionistas, and Warnick is hoping to open a second store later this year.
