pineapple. A symbol of hospitality in the south. That
was, and still is my vision for Duke and Stella- to
be a symbol of hospitality in our southern slice of
heaven. I always knew I wanted to own a store, I loved
the personal connections you make, and helping people feel
beautiful. One evening two years ago, just shortly after we moved
here, I told my husband I wanted to start my own boutique. He
didn’t bat an eye, but said where do we start. That’s when the
dream began to come alive. I knew right away I wanted a name
that would stand out, something people would remember. My
children are my greatest joys, so what better way to honor them
than to name the store, Duke and Stella, after them.
I knew from the start I wanted to focus on buying items that
are made here, in the U.S.A. My husband served our country in
the Marine Corps for nine years. Selling products that are made
in America is my little ode to him. This can be a daunting task at
times, however we have a vast selection of clothing, accessories,
bath and body products, and gifts that are made right here in
the U.S.A. In our searches, we focus on finding the best pieces
of clothing that do not make you sacrifice style for comfort. I
truly believe this is something that also sets us apart. We have
your outfit for work that can easily transition to date night, day
out with the kids, or running errands. Comfort and style can go
together, we promise!
Something that always surprises our customers is our vast
selection of “extra goodies”, as they call them. I wanted to be a
one-stop shop, so we have a little bit everything. Wax melts are
super popular right now, and with all of the various scents, your
home will smell heavenly! A few steps further you’ll find yourself
in a bath and body wonderland. The smells from our handmade
bath bombs that are painted to perfection will melt any blues
away. After you’ve found something for your home and bath,
you’ll be captivated by our wide variety of casual styles. From
our very trendy t-shirt dresses to the front tie tops, you’ll have
the perfect outfit. We are also the home to the very popular “Bee
Kind” graphic tees you’ve seen fluttering around town. They are
hands down our most popular item since our grand opening.
I often find myself repeating, “We aren’t just a store, we are a
hub for our community to find American Made items and to be
a gathering place.” God has given us this platform and it will not
be wasted. We hold one to three events every month at the store
that gives back to our community’s various organizations. Our
customers love that they are making a difference while enjoying
themselves with their friends and family. It’s truly been a blessing
and something our customers look forward to every month.
We are coming up on our one-year anniversary of opening our
store front. With that comes a lot of reflection, one that brings
tears to my eyes. I wish that I could personally thank each and
every one of our customers. You are supporting a dream while
making an impact on this community. Our goals for the future are
bigger and better events for this community and becoming the
only place you shop for clothing, bath and body, and gifts. We are
more than a boutique; we are a growing force in this community.
Business Profile
6675 Pine Forest Road , Pensacola 32526
(850) 292-6363 | www.dukeandstella.com
photos by
Kristina Wrigh
t
& story by
Caitlyn Huebner
A
36 | VIPPensacola.com
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