The bright and welcoming Emma Grace Foothills Boutique in Durbin has racks full of fashionable women’s clothing, as well as accessories, shoes and gifts.
Suzanne Stewart
Staff Writer
It’s sometimes funny how things fall into place. In 2023, Nancy Harris opened Emma Grace Foothills Boutique in Green Bank, despite never intending to open a clothing shop. The boutique was initially an online venture to earn extra income and give back to dog rescue and other non-profit organizations.
After realizing Internet connection in Pocahontas County was a bit unreliable, Harris opened the store and fell in love with it.
“I had no idea it was going to be so much fun, and people here would react to my crazy ideas to raise money for organizations,” she said in 2023.
After a year in Green Bank, Harris was on the search for a new location and as word got out, her fans and the community made it clear – she needed to move to Durbin.
“I had a place in Marlinton and a place in Durbin,” she said. “I just kept going back and forth, back and forth. What settled me on Durbin was how many of the townspeople – they were emailing me and messaging me and sending me notes – saying ‘please come to Durbin.’”
Come to Durbin she did and on March 1, Emma Grace Foothills Boutique held its grand opening in its new location on Main Street.
Entering the boutique, one would be inclined to think the space was designed specifically for the shop. The open space with one exposed brick wall, wood floors and natural light pouring in through the windows is perfect for a specialty clothing shop.
This display of hair clips looks more like an art installation at Emma Grace Foothills Boutique in Durbin. When it comes to style, owner Nancy Harris makes sure to not only sell stylish clothing and accessories, but to display them in a stylish way.
Next to the brick wall – which is adorned by model forms with graphics tees – is the hair clip hedge – a wall display that looks like a hedge with hair clips of every color and shaped attached.
Around the room are racks of clothes for women – shirts, dresses, pants and more. There are shoes and other accessories, as well.
Now that the boutique is open and situated, there will be more from the original location added soon, including children’s clothes and, in the fall, men’s wear.
“We’ve got a trucker hat bar coming, too,” Harris said. “That’s a big thing, and people like it.”
The displays are constantly changing with the seasons and on Harris’ whim, keeping the place fresh and exciting. You never know what you will find on the racks, and hiding underneath. The Harrises are dog rescuers and dog lovers, so you may find a furry little friend peering out at you as you shop.
It could be their latest addition, a yellow lab puppy named Jack, or it could be the mini dachshund owned by Harris’ employee Kelsi Taylor.
Emma Grace is open Thursday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.