Serving the Mid-Columbia region of Oregon and Washington, providing regional economic development and business assistance.Mid–Columbia Economic Development District

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Mid Columbia Economic Development District strives to promote the creation of family-wage jobs, the diversification of the economic base, and the growth, development and retention of business and industry in Hood River, Wasco, Sherman, Klickitat and Skamania Counties

MCEDD is organized as a government non-profit in Oregon as an ORS-190 and in Washington through RCW 39.34.010.

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    Home   ::   Business Financing   ::   Willow + Bark Boutique – Clothing and Accessories for Everyday Living

    Willow + Bark Boutique – Clothing and Accessories for Everyday Living

    March 30, 2020

    Interior of boutique with fixtures and Traci Griffiths

    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.

    Front entrance of boutique with potted plant

    Willow + Bark, located at 203 E 2nd St, The Dalles.

    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.

     

    Filed Under: Business Financing, Small Business Expansion

    MCEDD

    802 Chenowith Loop Rd,
    The Dalles, OR 97058
    Phone: (541) 296-2266

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