A 'Fabulous' run for boutique

SANDUSKY — Kim Mazur expressed her appreciation to every single female shopping at her store for more than a decade now. "I am extremely grateful for the support of my customers," said Mazur, the owner of Fabulous Female Boutique on Columbus Avenue beside the Sandusky State Theatre. "That's what I'll miss most: The customers who are friendly and the community-oriented nature that we have here. It's just been really good." Mazur reminisced about her time in Sandusky, noting it'll soon come to an end. This past week, Mazur announced her boutique's imminent closure in downtown Sandusky. A going-out-of-business sale then kicked off with signs highlighting these steep discounts in her storefront's windows. She wants to clear out her inventory before shutting down for good. Mazur, the business owner, didn't set a firm shutdown date; however, she "hopes to be closed within a couple of months." "I am not ready to retire, but I'm ready to scale back," said Mazur, who intends to keep her Catawba Island-Port Clinton-area store, within Harbor Light Landing on (Ohio 53), open. Boasting the same name, Fabulous Female Boutique, it's the same shopping complex home to Ciao Bella and Nagoya Hibachi Express. Mazur underscored how she wants to spend more time with her family, which consists of five grandchildren. "Just being there for them is important to me," Mazur said. Early beginnings Originally from Michigan, Mazur moved to the Sandusky area in 1995, relocating after her husband, Gary, opened Erie County's only Gordon Food Service location: on Milan Road (U.S. 250) in Perkins Township. For nearly 12 years, she worked at the Ferguson Gallery in Lakeside-Marblehead as a buyer-manager for the renowned art studio. "I found that I love working in retail and, eventually, wanted to have the challenge of opening up my own store," Mazur said. "I love helping women find things that they love and finding gifts for others. I started with jewelry and accessories and things for little girls, and that quickly grew into apparel." Mazur then debuted Fabulous Female Boutique in 2011 within the Sandusky Mall, selling accessories, apparel and jewelry there along with children's items, like books and toys. She then gave a glimpse into how she operates dating back to Day 1. "Serving my customers shapes the way I do things here and the products that are offered," said Mazur, adding how, "You don't just put products in your window and say, 'Come on in.' There is a lot more to it with many difficulties." So how'd she stay successful all these years? By listening to her clientele. "My customers vote with their dollars on what they love. So that helps me the next time I go to market to purchase for the boutique. I choose things that my customers are talking about or requesting or looking for. I cater to their needs." Two years later, in 2013, she relocated to downtown, first setting up shop on West Water Street. Then, in 2015, she moved into her present-day home on Columbus Avenue, a brick-and-mortar building once home to Marv Byer Clothiers. "This building had been vacant for several years," Mazur said. "The landlord was a customer of mine when I was over at Water Street and asked me about this location. It became available, and then I came in." People became accustomed to the boutique, realizing it is "friendly, honest with a selection that is elevated," said Mazur, noting people browsed and bought the core items along with handbags and shoes. "They also liked coming here because women do buy for everyone: their mothers, their daughters, their sisters, their aunts, their children and their grandchildren," Mazur said. "So I wanted something that would appeal to all of those women so they could buy beautiful things for their loved ones." A fond farewell Mazur appreciated many aspects of her downtown store. For instance, compared to her former location within Sandusky Mall, operating in downtown Sandusky provided her with much more flexibility and freedom to run a business. "Keeping mall hours, especially during the holiday season, was very difficult," Mazur said. Though far and away, what she's grateful for — and will miss — most of all revolves around three groups of people. For starters, Mazur remains appreciative of all other entrepreneurs working around her. Mazur noted many others believed in her boutique, crediting their faith to her longevity as a new-era pioneer in building up Sandusky's downtown district over the past 10-plus years. "I love being downtown. I love my neighbors. The neighboring businesses have all been very supportive of me, and it's a great community," she said. Mazur then credited her all-star staff for helping her every step of the way. "They are incredibly focused on doing what is best for the customers," Mazur said. "They are honest and have a love for them." She then pivoted to talk about her customers, stressing how they're "friendly and caring, and they have become family." "I am extremely grateful for their support, and I will forever cherish those relationships that we have built here over the years and hope they will continue in my Harbor Light Landing location," she said. For now, Mazur invites anyone to visit Fabulous Female Boutique in downtown Sandusky for either one more time or one last time. The boutique welcomes people from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays. When asked about a legacy and final takeaways people have of her, Mazur stayed quiet for a moment before answering. "I just want to be remembered as having a friendly, welcoming place where my customers felt seen and loved." Friendly chatter When Fabulous Female Boutique announced an impending closure for downtown Sandusky on its Facebook page, many people wrote out their memories and well-wishes for Mazur. This included: • Katie Dhuey: I'm sure this is a bittersweet announcement, Kim, but you've earned the right to simplify things so that you can focus on what matters most in life. Congratulations on 15 years of a successful second store, and here's to more time with grandkids and doing the things you love to do. • Lisa DeVerna: My mom loved working with you when you had your first store at the mall. Enjoy your time with your family and grandchildren. • Cathy Barone Beese: Enjoy any extra time you get with your family. Sorry to see you leave Sandusky, but it's worth the drive to Catawba. • Tandra Brinkmann: Sad to hear this. I'm from Missouri, and your store was always one of my favorites to visit when in Sandusky visiting my son. In fact, I was just in your store last week. I will be sure to visit your Port Clinton store. • Jean Bossetti: So very sorry and sad to see the store closing. My favorite downtown store. Whenever family members visit, they always want to shop at Fab Female. They will be sorry to hear that the store will close. I'll/we'll keep shopping at Harbor Light Landing when I/we can. All the best to you, Allie and the rest of your staff.