Community Spotlight: Glaze 2 Curvy Girl Clothing Boutique
Lindsey Hart didn’t set out to own a boutique. But when the opportunity presented itself, it felt like a perfect fit. “Honestly, it was just a really great fit for my personality, and I’d always thought that I could do really well at owning a boutique,” Hart recalls. “And my husband was very instrumental in saying, ‘Oh my gosh, you totally would kill it doing that.’”
Glaze 2 Curvy Girl Clothing Boutique, located at 105 N 8th St. Suite 9, has been serving the community since 2015, with Hart leading it for four years. The boutique specializes in plus-size fashion, catering to women who wear sizes extra-large through 24. Hart purchased the store from her friend, Katherine Hicks, during the height of the pandemic. This decision was not taken lightly; it was a move inspired by both personal circumstances and a deep-seated passion for the business.
Prior to owning Glaze 2, Hart was a senior national account manager for a local beauty company, where she called on major retailers across the country. However, after giving birth to a special needs child, she became a stay-at-home mom for 18 months. The pandemic added another layer of complexity to her life. “During that time was COVID as well. So, I guess almost a year of that was COVID. And then that was when we decided I was going to go back to work, and we thought this would be a flexible way for me to get some professional fulfillment.”
Hart’s journey with Glaze 2 is as much about personal fulfillment as it is about business success. She loves the interaction with her customers and the opportunity to make a difference in their lives. “I love my customers,” Hart shared. “I’m like a hairdresser. We talk therapy here. We talk about body stuff because someone might be conscientious of—you name it. I mean, everyone’s conscientious of something, right? It doesn’t matter if you’re a zero or a 24. And we just talk about body things, and I like to lift people up.”
The boutique has seen significant growth since Hart took over. “After COVID, it was crazy. It was gangbusters. I came in, and I put a lot of money into inventory and brought in some new things that the previous owner wasn’t carrying,” she explained. Hart’s hands-on approach extends to modeling the clothes herself initially, before hiring models to expand their marketing reach.
One of the unique aspects of Glaze 2 is its ever-changing inventory. This constant refresh keeps customers coming back to see what’s new, and Hart’s keen eye for fashion ensures there’s always something appealing on the racks.
Engaging with customers online has also been a critical part of Glaze 2’s strategy. The boutique has embraced platforms like TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram, and even has a TikTok shop. “We opened up a website and an app, and we do live sales. We have a TikTok shop now. And then obviously brick and mortar,” Hart added. This multi-platform approach has helped Glaze 2 reach a broader audience and build a loyal customer base.
Looking ahead, Hart has big dreams for Glaze 2. “I mean, I would love to see this boutique in a larger space. I would love to carry undergarments, pajamas, lingerie. I would love to have a full range of bathing suits,” she envisioned. However, she acknowledges the challenges posed by the current economic climate, making cautious, strategic decisions about inventory investments.
For Hart, the boutique is more than just a business; it’s a community. She aims to create a welcoming space where every customer feels valued and beautiful. “This is meant to be a place where a shopper can be okay with what size she wears and feel like she’s not being shoved to the back of the rack or shoved to the back of the store. Everything here is for that curvy shopper.”
As Glaze 2 celebrates its fourth anniversary, Hart remains committed to providing stylish, affordable clothing for plus-sized women. Her journey as a boutique owner is a testament to her resilience, passion, and unwavering dedication to her customers. With each passing year, Glaze 2 continues to thrive, bringing fashion that fits and empowers the women of Cabot and beyond.