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By Susan Elise Campbell
Life Made Simple Boutique, a retail gift shop that opened in Burnt Hills two years ago, now has a second shop in the Wilton Mall on Route 50.
Owner Nicole Wilson said that despite “a scary economy,” she opened a second store in the mall, where there is “a diversity of stores and services, including Saratoga Hospital, to attract customers.”
Wilson is also hoping to benefit from increased traffic if and when the proposal to construct apartment buildings behind the mall, now under review, is approved.
“I decided in July that despite slow sales earlier in the year, I was motivated to open a second store,” said Wilson. A month later the second boutique had taken up residency at the mall.
“I love retail, shopping for retail, stocking funny and sarcastic items, and hearing customers laugh,” she said. “People are feeling stressed out these days and we have items that cheer them up.”
Both boutiques sell clothing, jewelry, gifts, home décor, self-care products, and more. Wilson said she wants people to walk into either shop and find an assortment of items they are looking for under one roof.
“There is something for everyone, including a healing station, a feel good space” that she hopes will “build repeat business,” she said. “In this economy, I’m trying to think outside the box.”
Wilson has a history of entrepreneurship. As part of her commitment to help simplify the lives of households with child cancer victims, she started a nonprofit business wherein she would clean their homes, freeing up time to take care of those young patients. She forayed her endeavor into a profitable business called Life Maid Simple, which now has 15 employees.
“No child in my family has had cancer, but a good friend’s child was born with a very rare brain cancer,” she said. “I joined the board of the Logan Strong Foundation for raising child cancer awareness and three years later was promoted to vice president.”
Another way she supports the community in and around her Burnt Hills home is by getting all her merchandise from small businesses, either locally or throughout the U.S.
“At least 90 percent of what I sell comes from a small or woman-owned business,” she said. “It’s always important that small businesses support each other.”
She also helps the 75 or so vendors she works with by purchasing items wholesale and reselling them “so that they are not waiting 45 days for payment,” she said.
Wilson also personally fashions some items to sell by hand, such as wreaths, mugs, and bottle lamps. Walk-ins can have tee shirts customized on the spot.
The Wilton boutique offers tables and chairs to meet or relax with a complimentary cup of coffee or tea, or a pastry from the Swedish Chef in Ballston Spa. However, the newer location does not offer private cubicles to meet with clients like the Burnt Hills location.
Both boutiques host parties where guests can shop and play board games or do crafts. Until she is licensed to prepare food on site, customers having parties may bring in their own, she said.
“Parties were very popular during COVID,” said Wilson. “Kids could see their friends and get out of their houses.”
Once licensed, Wilson will have “a full kitchen and probably expand into food-to-go,” she said. In the future she may also have a traveling boutique to bring the Life Made Simple shopping experience to events and expos, she said.
“I want people to come in and have a good time every visit,” she said. “We are open seven days a week.”
Visit Life Made Simple Boutique in the center of the Wilton Mall and Facebook for more information.