Willow Boutique offers direct-from-manufacturer clothing

The team behind the Tillsonburg location of Willow Boutique stand in the front of the recently-opened store. Left to right are Ruth Ann Pottelberg, Lisa Wamboldt and Naomi Talbot. (Jeff Helsdon photo)

Jeff Helsdon, Editor

Willow Boutique offers Tillsonburg residents a unique, made-in-Canada clothing line direct from the manufacturer.

The story behind how the store came to be is a unique one. Carrianne Hall of Trinkets was one of the top retailers of Rapz Lifestyle Clothing in the province. Rapz is owned by Lisa Wamboldt and her parents, Michael and Dianne Wamboldt of Brighton. They also have three flagship stores selling the clothing – two in Brighton and one in Kingston – under the Willow Boutique banner.

“When Carianne told me she was retiring, it was a golden opportunity to open another flagship store,” Lisa said.

Willow Boutique opened in the former Trinkets location last Tuesday.

Rapz Lifestyle Clothing began as a cruise wear, resort, and travel specialist clothing company. It has since expanded to year-round clothing, with the ability to mix and match, for instance, winter tops for summer tops with the same bottoms.

"You can buy something new every season, and it will work with what you have,” Lisa said.

The company offers different fabrics – all of which are machine washable – in sizes from XS to XXL.

Lisa and Dianne design the clothing and have three home sewers and two factories in Toronto manufacture it. Both started their careers as teachers, but Lisa said they are “just creative”. She became disillusioned with teaching with the threat of strikes when she started.

“I jumped and never looked back,” she said.

One feature of the store is a sale room at the back.

“We’re moderately priced for our quality,” Lisa said. “We hang next to some high-end labels in some stores that are three times the price, and not made here.”

The opening of the Tillsonburg store is part of a move for Rapz towards direct consumer retail from its flagship Willow Boutique locations. Lisa explained that since COVID, there are fewer boutiques, as many closed, and the margins have narrowed.

“The fact we can design, produce and retail gives us the margin we need to survive,” she said.

When Lisa saw the 1800s building where Trinkets was located with the original brick and tin ceiling, she knew it was the right fit.

“It’s the perfect building for Willow Boutique,” she said. “The moment I walked in, it reminded me of my location in Brighton.”

Although Lisa and her husband have been in Tillsonburg preparing for the opening, the day-to-day operation of the store will be handed over to locals Ruth Ann Pottelberg and Naomi Talbot.

Willow Boutique can also be found online at www.willowboutique.ca, and Lisa does three live broadcasts weekly on the company’s Facebook page.