In the heart of Searcy, Arkansas, The Sassy Stitch stands as a beloved children’s boutique with a unique story and deep community roots. Owned by Lauren Joyner, this local treasure isn’t just another store—it’s a family legacy that began nearly two decades ago. Lauren’s journey to owning The Sassy Stitch started when her mother first opened the doors 18 years ago.
“My mom started it,” Lauren shared. “She was a stay-at-home mom, and she just had this bright idea. My grandma was retired, and she said, ‘Hey, what do you think about monogramming?’ So, my grandma learned how. And here we are.”
Two years ago, Lauren took over the business when her mother received a difficult diagnosis of colon cancer. Even though her mother passed away in April, Lauren’s dedication to the business—and to her mother’s memory—keeps The Sassy Stitch thriving. Her commitment shines through in everything she does, from managing daily operations to connecting with loyal customers.
More Than Just a Boutique: A Family Atmosphere
For the customers who walk through the doors of The Sassy Stitch, it’s more than just a place to shop—it’s an extension of family. Lauren makes sure every person who visits feels welcomed and valued, forming connections that go beyond a typical business transaction.
“I know so much about every customer,” Lauren explained. “We just connect on that level. It’s more of a family environment than anything else.”
Whether it’s delivering items to customers’ homes or offering personalized services like baby registries, Lauren’s approach is rooted in care and thoughtfulness. The Sassy Stitch has also carved out a niche as the go-to children’s boutique in Searcy, offering an impressive range of brands and sizes. “Our girls’ clothes go up to a size 16, and our boys’ go up to a 10-12,” Lauren said. “We’re the only children’s boutique here, so that’s good for our community.”
When Lauren took over the shop, she knew there was an opportunity to bring the business into the digital age. “I launched the website about two years ago” she recalled. “Now, I have orders going to places like Ohio and California. People are finding us—I’m not sure how, but they are!”
Lauren takes great pride in seeing her products travel across the country. She even tracks her sales with a map, coloring in each state that The Sassy Stitch reaches. “We’re close to completing all 50 states,” she said with a smile.
This online growth complements the store’s strong local presence, and Lauren balances both aspects with ease. While The Sassy Stitch remains a fixture for in-store shoppers in Searcy, the website has opened up new opportunities for growth, allowing the boutique to connect with customers far beyond Arkansas.
The holiday season is always an exciting time at The Sassy Stitch. Lauren loves creating special experiences for her customers, and she has a few traditions that keep people coming back year after year. One of the most anticipated events is Pink Saturday, The Sassy Stitch’s alternative to Black Friday.
“We don’t do Black Friday,” Lauren explained. “We always do Pink Saturday, which is the Saturday after Thanksgiving. It’s a big sale, and our customers really look forward to it.”
In addition to Pink Saturday, The Sassy Stitch hosts an annual end-of-year sale where nearly everything in the store is half off. These events have become customer favorites, with many families timing their holiday shopping around them.
And, for those who like to get an early start on holiday preparations, Lauren already has Christmas pajamas in stock—a big hit with her customers who love to dress their kids in matching sets. “My Christmas pajamas go quick,” she laughed. “A lot of my people want all their kids to match, so they get on that early.”
One of the things that sets The Sassy Stitch apart is its customer service, especially when it comes to gifting. Whether a customer is ordering online or visiting the store in person, Lauren ensures that gift-giving is a seamless experience.
“If someone wants to send an order as a gift, we’ll take care of it,” Lauren explained. “We take the prices off everything and ship it directly to the person. And in-store, people will often ask if we can ship their purchases for them, which we’re happy to do.”
This personalized touch extends to everything Lauren does, from helping customers choose the perfect items to offering free shipping on all online orders. Her goal is to make every customer feel special and taken care of, whether they’re shopping for themselves or sending a thoughtful gift to someone else.
As The Sassy Stitch continues to grow, Lauren remains focused on keeping the boutique a cherished part of the Searcy community. She’s always thinking of new ways to improve and adapt, especially as the business grows both locally and online. With the holiday season around the corner and new inventory arriving all the time, The Sassy Stitch is busier than ever—and Lauren wouldn’t have it any other way.
“We’re just going with the flow,” she said with a smile. “I’m proud to carry on what my mom started, and I’m excited to see where it goes from here.”
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