While most High School students are thinking about what they want to choose as a career, senior Ally Grierson is opening her very own store in downtown San Luis Obispo. Expressions interviewed Grierson to find out about her new boutique and how she is planning to balance school and a store.
Expressions: What made you want to open a store downtown?
Senior Ally Grierson: Well, my Mom owns a store downtown, and I’ve always been super interested in second-hand clothing. So I decided to open my own store with my sister to sell clothing. The clothing is going to be a combination of clothes from thrift stores and regular stores.
Expressions: Where is the store going to be and what is it called?
Grierson: It’s called ‘SLO Sisters’, it’s right next to Growing Grounds on Chorro Street. It’s actually pretty close to my Mom’s store, her shop’s called Trio and my store is just two stores down from hers.
Expressions: Do you think it’ll be hard to balance school and a store?
Grierson: No because I already work most of the week and I’m in two AP classes. The only difference will be that I’m going to quit my job and just work at my store instead. My sister is helping me with it, we are going to be switching off between one of us going shopping and the other one taking care of the store.
Expressions: What type of clothing will you be selling?
Grierson: We have a theme for everything we will be selling. It’ll be mostly earth-tone colors, nothing that is too bright,so mostly just whites, browns and pinks. We are going to specialize in vintage clothing. I go to swap meets, thrift stores, Goodwill, to find all pieces for the store.
Expressions: Do you think you’ll include men’s clothing in your boutique?
Grierson: Probably not, that’s only because I’m not very experienced in men’s clothing sizes.
Expressions: Are there any discounts for high school students?
Grierson: I was thinking about doing ten percent for both college and high school students.
Expressions: Will you be pursuing merchandising as a career?
Grierson: No, I’m more interested in the medical field. This is just something I want to do for fun and something that helps me get through college.
Expressions: Is there anything you would want people to know about your store?
Grierson: Most people think second-hand clothing is really gross but we make sure that our clothing is really clean. It goes through a special wash before it is put up for display in the store.
Expressions: Are you excited about your new venture?
Grierson: I’m really excited to be doing this! I’ve actually started making furniture for the shop. I’ve been making vintage suitcases into benches.
