MARION – The owner of a women’s boutique in downtown Marion as weathered a few storms since she opened a year-and-a-half ago. She’s One Brave Woman.
Erica Jury, the owner of Brave Woman Boutique, has, like many other businesses, struggled to stay afloat in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic. But in June the brick wall of her building at 143 E. Center St. collapsed when strong storms swept through the downtown area.
“It’s been challenging. You have to learn to hustle in a different way,” said Jury, who opened the boutique in May 2019. “My goal was to get people to remember me. It’s still hitting me right now, even after four months, the devastation from the wall coming down and the lack of parking.”
Jury “bravely” gave up a 20-year nursing career to open Brave Woman Boutique – and pursue another passion. Her mission? Offer unique clothing and accessories at affordable prices to “show women their beauty within themselves so they can feel confident and brave in their skin.”
The 1,800-square-foot dress shop, a former law office, carries a variety of apparel ranging in size from small through 3X. Jury orders the pieces primarily from Chicago and Los Angeles, usually just six of every style, along with jewelry, scarves, hats and handbags.
Customers flocked to the store the first year, she said, and business was good. She drew clientele not just from Marion County. “It was amazing. I was getting people from Crawford County and all around, not just Marion. They loved the unique lifestyle that my clothes offered them.”
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit this year, she was forced to close in March under Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine’s state-mandated shutdown. As the weeks passed, she and her staff resorted to Facebook live sales and “everyone came out of the woodwork to buy.”
The boutique filled customer orders online, then offered “drive-bys” from 6 to 8 p.m. on Fridays. With music playing outdoors, the cars filed in through the back alley, then popped open their trunks so employees could place their bagged and tagged purchases in the vehicle.
“You do what you gotta’ do to get creative,” admitted Jury. “I didn’t expect it to be so much fun. It was so unbelievably fulfilling to see the women even though you couldn’t touch them or hug them. We had everything ready for them though.”
Jury said sales at “Brave” have steadily picked up in the last few weeks, despite limited parking on Center Street. She credits her husband, Shawn, with giving her the financial expertise she needed as a business owner to stay open and get through these trying times.
“I feel like I’m blessed, and Shawn has helped me through this and we’re coming back with a vengeance.”
