Traci Griffiths opened Willow + Bark Boutique with the goal of providing excellent customer service to everyone who comes through the door. Located in the historic Legion Building on 2nd street downtown The Dalles, the boutique offers a variety of clothing styles and sizes for women from all of walks of life. Griffiths hopes the boutique will appeal to customers shopping for everyday looks as well as those who are shopping for special events. Willow + Bark Boutique sells jewelry, accessories, shoes and gifts in addition to women’s clothing.
“I want my customers to leave feeling confident and pretty,” says Griffiths. She sees her customer as a woman who is brand conscious and wants quality clothing that is seasonally appropriate without having to travel to Portland. “My mission is to provide excellent customer service and a beautiful place for women to shop for high quality clothing and accessories for everyday living,” she added.
Griffiths grew up in the retail industry. Her parents owned and operated a large department store in downtown The Dalles where she started working after school. She learned all aspects of the retail store from the sales floor to buying and business operations. Eventually, she opened her own store in Gresham where she sold gifts and home accessories as well as jewelry and cards.
With financing help from Mid-Columbia Economic Development District, Griffiths was able to purchase additional signage, inventory and fixtures for the boutique and expand its footprint. Willow + Bark Boutique operates an online shop at willowandbarkboutique.com and can also be found on Instagram with the handle willowandbarkb. Currently, Griffiths is offering free shipping and local delivery.
The MCEDD Loan Program is available to entrepreneurs, start-up businesses and existing businesses doing business in the five county (Sherman, Hood River, Wasco, Klickitat and Skamania) Mid-Columbia Area. This loan program is part of MCEDD’s efforts to strengthen and support the region’s economy. For more information on MCEDD’s Loan Program, visit www.mcedd.org.