Editor's Note: Here is a copy of the story on Kendall Leigh Boutique that ran March 8 on Connect-Bridgeport. Today, the official ribbon-cutting ceremony was held and the photo is shown above.

 

When Andrea Paugh took over the popular “Howe Too Boutique” in downtown Clarksburg, she wanted to put her own touches on it. Among the first things was to change the name.

 

Now, she’s making a change that will definitely put her own stamp on it. Barring something unusual, the new store – Kendall Leigh Boutique – will be moving from downtown Clarksburg to downtown Bridgeport.

 

The new Bridgeport business will be opening right along U.S. Route 50 in a very familiar location. The building that used to house Preferred Properties and is in front of the Carder Motors location and beside the former Ace Hardware building is where the boutique will open shop. And Paugh couldn’t be happier.

 

“We hope to be open early (this) week,” said Paugh, who said she took over Howe Cute in August. “We’re very excited to have found this location because it fits what we were looking for. We wanted a better location that was visible for more hours to the public and a place with better parking. This location fits all those needs.”

 

For those who visit the new location, they will be greeted with clothing from preemie sizes up to size 16. Clothing options are for boys and girls and Paugh said they also have shoes, including a new shoe line for the store, and multiple other accessories including Lenney & Eva Jewelry and Crossroad Candles.

 

“We have big gifts, small gifts and gifts for special occasions or any occasion,” said Paugh, who named the boutique after her daughter.

 

The building is owned by Mark Carder. Carder, according to Bridgeport Community Development Director Randy Spellman, did roughly $20,000 in remodeling work to the structure.

 

The new business will be open Monday through Saturday. The hours of operation will be Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Paugh said they also do appointments with customers outside of regular business hours.

 

The store’s phone number, which may not yet be activated, will be 842-5155. If that number does not work, call 304-623-2883, which is the number for the Clarksburg location that Paugh said will soon be closing.

 

“I’m extremely excited to get moved and hopefully sales will pick up,” said Paugh. “I think it will be interesting for me to put my own touch on things at the new location.”