Photo Credit: Geri June Photography
It’s another beautiful fall day in Lake County, where the days are shorter, and the bright golden light is slow to give way to cooler temperatures and blustery winds. It’s Tuesday afternoon, and it feels like fall could last forever. Orange, brown, and yellow leaves adorn the display window of Style and Soul Boutique on Main Street in Lakeport, whether it’s autumn sweaters, tops, or dresses that tempt window shoppers to come in for a quick look around.
Inside, meet the two most unlikely business owners, Crystal and Kimberly. It may not be surprising that Crystal and Kimberly are business owners and best friends, but how these two met is surprising. Kimberly is Crystal’s daughter’s stepmom. That’s right. Kimberly is with Crystal’s ex.
Crystal must be used to surprised eyes when she continues. “Yeah, Kimberly just called me and asked if I wanted to come over to their house for Thanksgiving and Christmas just to make things easier for the kids.” The kind gesture obviously worked and eventually spark this unlikely friendship. In time, the friendship turned into business partners.
Crystal laughs, “We were best friends when we started the business right after the big Valley Fire. I started with pop-ups, but I decided I wanted to have my own store.” And with the help of Kimberly and her family’s financial support, her now-shared dream came true.
Style and Soul’s first store opened in 2017 in St. Helena. “We were doing so well that we decided to open up in Lakeport,” Crystal explains. And that’s exactly what happened. Lakeport became the home of their second location in April of 2019, unknowingly only a year before Covid would change business for every small business owner.
“During Covid, we did everything,” began Kimberly. “We did online shopping during Shelter In Place, curbside pick-up, door deliveries, Facebook Live shopping events, you name it, we did it. Lake County carried us through. After shelter in place, sales boomed.”
Sales boomed so much that Crystal and Kimberly hired seven more employees and closed their St. Helena location, committing all their time here in Lake County. “We’ve been doing so well these past two years that we decided to open in Hidden Valley Lake,” Crystal smiles.
Fall is not only happening outdoors but also in Style and Soul Boutique. A quick look around, and it’s easy to get caught up in the fall colors of tops, sweaters, bright plaid flannel tops, all things denim to choose from, hats, purses, and costume jewelry. Don’t forget kitchen towels with catchy phrases, complete with complimentary hot pads.
Plus, Style and Soul Boutique offers more than just clothes. One can support them and other small business owners in Lake County, including Wild Bee Creations, Bottlerock Candle Studio, Aloha Organics, and more.
It’s easy to spend a few hours browsing through their diverse inventory. There’s no doubt their unique styles and size-inclusive boutique is not only just a great place to shop but also another Lake County success story. And if you live in South Lake County, you’re in luck. You can now swing by Style and Soul Boutique in Hidden Valley Lake!
240 N Main St, Lakeport, CA 95453
Hours: 7 Days a week, 11am-6 pm
(707) 900-5028
Hidden Valley Lake Location
19851 Hartmann Rd B, Hidden Valley Lake, CA 95467
Hours: Thursday-Saturday 11am-5pm and 11am-2pm on Sundays
(707) 809-8040
Order: styleandsoulboutique.com
