JASPER / CULLMAN – Shannon and Dustin Beaty pray before they make major life decisions, including business decisions.

One answered prayer began as a corner boutique in a pharmacy and has grown into two free-standing boutiques, one with an 800-square-foot coffee bar inside. Shannon Beaty says, “It was all in God’s perfect plan.”

Lavish Boutique began in July 2012 with Shannon selling game-day clothes in Hospital Discount Pharmacy, her husband’s pharmacy in downtown Jasper. Eleven months later, the boutique had a place of its own next door to the pharmacy. By the fall of 2016, the store had expanded again and added a coffee bar. On August 15, the couple opened a second Lavish Boutique in the warehouse district of Cullman. They also operate an online store at lavishboutiqueclothing.com

“There is so much heart and passion in this business,” the Alabama Retailer of the Year judges said about the Beatys and Lavish Boutique and Coffee Bar, which earned the title of Alabama’s 2018 Silver Retailer of the Year Award in the Annual Sales $1 Million to $5 Million category. The Alabama Retail Association today honored the couple at its Retail Day luncheon in Birmingham. Carr, Riggs & Ingram CPAs and Advisors, Slappey Communications and the University of Alabama’s Culverhouse College of Business were the luncheon sponsors.

“When people come in this door, it is important that they feel loved, inspired and encouraged,” Shannon said during an interview at her Jasper flagship store. She said she and her staff “are able to take the love that we share and bring it to the people who walk through the doors, so that they feel that energy radiating from us.”

Customers reciprocate that love to Lavish Boutique and Coffee Bar, which was also recognized as the Alabama Retailer of the Year Customers’ Choice Award winner for 2018. Among the 54 Alabama Retailer of the Year entries, the women’s clothing and accessory store garnered the most votes between June 27 and July 11 in a Facebook contest. The store received 3,112 of 23,609 votes cast.

“How can you top retail therapy with a coffee fix?” asked one customer. “I know, you can’t! Very cute boutique clothing, I always come out with quality clothes and get compliments on them everywhere I go!”

Mike Putman, executive director of Main Street Jasper, who nominated the Beatys, said of the couple, “They are more than outstanding retailers, they are friends.”

Lavish Boutique and Coffee Bar was one of 13 retail businesses honored as Retailers of the Year. This year’s winners came from a pool of almost 100 nominees. The Alabama Retailer of the Year awards, started in 1999, honor retailers who have demonstrated growth, innovation and a commitment to their respective communities.

“Shannon and Dustin Beaty are retailers of the year EVERY year to the Lavish Boutique and Coffee Bar customers, their 17 employees and the Jasper community,” said Alabama Retail Association President Rick Brown.

Full list of this year’s Retailers of the Year

Previous Retailers of the Year

 

The Alabama Retail Association represents retailers, the largest private employer in the state of Alabama, before the Alabama Legislature and the U.S. Congress. Through sales of food, clothing, furniture, medicine and more, our 4,200 independent merchant and national company members touch almost every aspect of daily living. Since 1943, we’ve worked to promote what’s best for the retail industry in Alabama. Whether voicing the retail view when public policy is made, educating members about issues that impact them, negotiating rates for benefits and services or communicating the retail story, the Alabama Retail Association and its members are better together.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Shannon and Dustin Beaty, Lavish Boutique and Coffee Bar | 205.265.2911
Nancy Dennis, Alabama Retail Association | 334.551.0643 | 800.239.5423