Don’t let the name fool you: Mainstream Boutique is not your typical clothing store. A little more than a year after acquiring the store and moving it from downtown Stillwater to its current location next to Kowalski’s Market, husband-and-wife owners Dan and Karen Fredrick have revamped the store’s offerings and doubled its business.
The local response has been tremendous, Karen Fredrick says. Her secret is to offer something for everyone, but “something you can’t just get at the department store.” Mainstream Boutique features clothing and accessories that are both chic and classic, from statement jewelry to the perfect pair of jeans or shoes. The store also showcases local talent from clothing designer Laura Hlavac of St. Paul and Stillwater vintage jewelry line Belle Via.
“I’m constantly researching great new lines,” Fredrick says. “We want to be a multi-generational store, rather than just catering to one style or age group.” That sense of community extends beyond the product lines: Groups can reserve the space for after-hours shopping parties, great for a girls’ night out or as a fundraiser for your favorite charity, she says.
Originally a hairstylist, Fredrick long has been drawn to beauty and fashion. After a stint as a stay-at-home mom, she started doing direct sales for the previous owner of Mainstream Boutique. “I was just looking for something to occupy my free time,” she says with a laugh.
Within four years, Fredrick grew into a management role; by the time the opportunity came to buy the store in October 2014, she couldn’t imagine doing anything else. “This is my passion,” she says.
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Mainstream Boutique
5815 Neal Ave. N., Stillwater
651.351.2802
