Boutique owner hopes pop-up store will become fixture

ASHEBORO — And the winner is … Reese & Co. Boutique and Gifts.

Taylor Wilson’s new store at Asheboro Mall won a pop-up contest this summer, earning three months free rent during the holiday shopping season. She’s hoping her boutique will become a permanent fixture.

Wilson, who has owned another Reese store at 233 S. Main Street in Randleman, since 2013, said she had applied for the annual pop-up contest a couple of years ago without success. But she wasn’t deterred, entering again with hopes of being chosen. “I want to test how we would do with another store, to run two at a time.”

Hull Properties, which owns Asheboro Mall, noticed that while national retailers were closing, local entrepreneurs were thriving. The company “created the American Dream Project and launched a pop-up opportunity for local businesses to pilot a storefront,” according to its website. 

Wilson said, “The American Dream Project put together a presentation for me” to present to the mall officials. The presentation included pictures of her products and her goals for the store. 

She also rents a booth at Maker & Merchant, which sells local goods by consignment, where she sells products different from what she carries in her boutiques.

She learned in late July that her second Reese & Co. Boutique had been approved. They began setting up the space on Sept. 14.

September was a busy month for Wilson as she celebrated her 29th birthday, got married and honeymooned in Hawaii. Then it was back to work.

She said the space was in good condition from its last tenant but her father did build two booths as dressing rooms.

“Oct. 2 was our first day,” she said.

Reese & Co. Boutique and Gifts features women’s clothes and accessories, jewelry, shoes and gift items. Wilson said she’s waiting for more merchandise to come in.

Her first weekend, the first Friday and Saturday of October, were what she called “very good. I’m definitely ready for November to get here and people start Christmas shopping.”

Now with two stores, Wilson employs two during the week and another two on weekends. “But most of the time I’m by myself.”

She’s hoping that shoppers will find items in her boutique not currently in Asheboro. She said her Kendra Scott jewelry has received a “good response.” She also carries Judy Blue jeans and Simply Southern casual clothes.

Compared to her Randleman store, Wilson said her location in Asheboro Mall has “a lot of traffic.” She’s hoping that will translate into more sales.

Asked where the name Reese came from, Wilson said that’s the name of her Yorkie terrier. “I got him for my high school graduation and opened my first store four months later.”

It’s assured that Wilson will remain in the Asheboro Mall until Dec. 31, when the pop-up deal ends. After that?

“We’ll see,” Wilson said. “I would love to stay here and have a second location.”

Reese & Co. Boutique and Gifts can be contacted at 336-465-1012 or by email at info@reesecoonline.com. You can also visit the website, www.shopreeseandco.com.