Woman Starts Northville Business on 'A Whim'

When she couldn't find a job in education after graduation, Christine Van Dam said she and her mother decided to start a business.

"I graduated with a degree in education and couldn't find a job," Van Dam said. "My mother and I, on a whim, decided to open a store. Within a month, we had rented a space, bought fixtures and were on a plane to New York to buy goods."

Recently Van Dam, owner of Van Dam's boutique, submitted information about his business to Patch. If you have a business and want to participate in Patch's Small Business Shout Out you can fill out the form here.

What's a fact about your business that most customers probably don't know?: Our store is housed in the oldest "retail" building in Northville. Although, we are not sure of the exact date, there are pictures of my building from 1825.

When was the business founded?: The business was started in December 1977.

How did your business come to be?: I graduated with a degree in education and couldn't find a job. My mother and I, on a whim, decided to open a store. Within a month,we had rented a space, bought fixtures and were on a plane to New York to buy goods.

Why did you choose to locate to Northville?: Our first store was located in Plymouth. In 1980, we moved to the Renaissance Center and stayed for the next 20 years. In the year 2000, G.M. was renovating the Center and wanted us to move to the Millender Center a year and then move back when renovations were done. Instead, because I was a resident of Northville, I decided to move here. Northville is a fabulous town to do business in... a place "where everybody knows your name!"

What kind of services do you offer?: We carry lines of clothing and accessories that, for the most part, can't be found in department stores. We also have the ability to offer personal service to our customers.

What do you want your business to be best known for?: GREAT customer service.

What's your most popular product or service?: Some of the clothing lines we carry have a great following. ( XCVI, Barbara Lesser, Neon Buddha and Bud to Rose jewelry.)