'This One Is It': Boutique Owner To Open Second Location In Manhattan

MANHATTAN, IL — Manhattan has been tugging at Sadie Smith West's heartstrings for nearly two years.

Smith West and her son Kale spend a lot of time at Manhattan farm HHH Ranch. Kale, 20, is autistic and takes therapeutic riding lessons. Smith West and Kale also volunteer at the farm, spending time caring for and feeding the animals.

"We were both loving that," Smith West said. "I’m a city girl, I've lived in Joliet my whole life. I was learning a lot about the animals from Christine and the other volunteers," she said, referring to the owner of HHH.

The work was soothing and inspiring, and made Smith West start to think.

"We liked how we felt being out in Manhattan," she said.

As the Joliet resident and Shorewood boutique owner mulled a place to open her second location, she leaned toward Manhattan.

"For a year, I've been thinking about Manhattan," she said. "I looked at a couple places that just weren’t right."

Then she found 125 S. State St.—the new home of the second location of Posh West Boutique.

"That was it," she said. "I knew it was the right spot."

Smith West shared the news on social media.

"The vibe feels good," she told fans. "I’ve looked at other spots and it didn’t feel like this. This one is it ... it’s Posh West.

"Timing is perfect, location is perfect, and Sadie was ready for a new challenge."

As she preps to open her Manhattan location, tentatively set to open in July, Smith West pinpoints what appealed to her about the town. With a bakery and hair salon nearby, the location bears some similarities to her Shorewood one.

"I like that it’s right downtown, it had the small-town feel to it," she said.

Smith West's popular boutique fashion business began as a home-based one in October 2018, with Smith West opening her first storefront in Shorewood, 852 Sharp Dr Unit D, in May 2019. The family-owned and operated business got its start with the help of her sons and niece.

Branding it "the comfy and cozy" boutique, Smith West prides herself on shaping her inventory toward middle-aged women, a demographic she says is so often overlooked by the fashion industry.

"We really honed in on that middle-aged women, menopausal woman, plus-size women," she said. "All demographics of women that have been left out of the fashion world. ...

"... Giving them a safe place to shop, no matter their size or age."

In the early days of her business, Smith West saw an appreciation for a more specialized shopping experience; she offers jeans fittings for women looking to properly size themselves and find a comfortable fit. She's met some women who had avoided wearing jeans for years for lack of options, and others who couldn't quite find the right pair without some guidance.

The personalized shopping experience has been a game-changer to so many women, she said. Sizing is inclusive, ranging from small to 3XL. Some women find they've been wearing the wrong size or rise for their body type; plus-size women are relieved to find brands that include a fuller scope of sizes.

"We started really catering to that kind of customer, and that’s how our store really began to scale," she said. "The clientele of ours continued to grow, and grow. We morphed into this destination, more than just a store."

The customer feedback was so strikingly positive, and showed the need for a shop like hers.

"Women come in and say they tried on 25 pairs of jeans, and they didn’t get the help and assistance they get at our store. It’s all about providing that experience for the shopper, versus just being a shop."

Smith West focuses on bringing in brands and products that are "trendy, but also age-appropriate," she said. Her inventory includes brands like Judy Blue Jeans and Vervet Denim, in addition to athletic leisure wear line Mono Bo. Smith West has carried Judy Blue for years, long before it skyrocketed to popularity via TikTok, she said. Vervet is a more recent addition to her offerings, but has proven a popular one.

"I like to give a nice variety," Smith West said. "The feedback from our customers has been fantastic."

All brands and collections in the store are curated by Smith West, who visits an apparel market in Georgia often to source the items. Also a gift shop, Post West also sells items from Natural Life, Mudpie and Pacha Soaps. Jewelry and purses are also featured.

The store also features crafted and handmade items by artists and other family businesses. "Stained glass wooden angels from my best cousin and earrings from one of my childhood best friends," Smith West said. She also makes essential oil rollers, with Young Living Oils also sold in the store.

As the mother of an autistic child, Smith West is also an active advocate in the special needs community.

"I have a lot of special needs parents that bring their kids in, and we have special needs shopping nights," she said.

She aims to create an environment where they can feel safe and comfortable browsing and learning about the necessary tasks of shopping.

"We provide a safe place for them to learn different skills for shopping," she said.

She also strives to find ways the business can give back to its communities. In Manhattan, she regularly donates to HHH Ranch and plans to continue to, she said.

"I’m excited about being closer to them, and what else I can do," she said. "Kale and I will continue our time there, as well."

Business at the Shorewood location will continue as usual, she stressed, with her son Jaden serving as courier between the two locations. The store also accepts orders via website and app, and will ship nationwide.

"None of it would be possible without the amazing staff I’ve had throughout all the years, all of the people who have worked for us, and our current staff, especially," Smith West said.

The reality has exceeded her dreams.

"We are that community of women," she said. "It’s a safe place to shop, a fun place to shop.

"When moms get an hour to themselves, they come to my store."

To see more about what Posh West offers and for the latest updates on the Manhattan location's opening, follow Posh West on Facebook.