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Darbe and Co. Boutique under new ownership

  • Rhonda Dana (left) and Deb McNeilus stand outside Darbe and Co. Boutique on Tuesday in Charles City. Press photo by Kelly Terpstra

  • Rhonda Dana (left) purchased Darbe and Co. Boutique from Deb McNeilus recently. Dana takes over ownership of the store on Sept. 1. Press photo by Kelly Terpstra

  • Rhonda Dana is the new owner of Darbe and Co. Boutique in Charles City. Press photo by Kelly Terpstra

By Kelly Terpstra, kterpstra@charlescitypress.com

Dreams do come true for the hometown girl.

Rhonda Dana, a Charles City High School graduate, will officially become the new owner of Darbe and Co. Boutique on Main Street next month.

Dana purchased the business recently from owner Deb McNeilus, who opened her unique women’s clothing store in Charles City more than five years ago.

Dana, a recently retired teacher who lives in Cedar Falls, is no stranger to “America’s Hometown.” She attended school from kindergarten through high school graduation in Charles City.

She fulfills a lifelong goal of owning her own business after retiring from teaching for almost 35 years in the Waterloo area.

“It’s always been a dream to have a little boutique of some sort,” said Dana.

Susan Needham runs Darbe and Co. in Greene, a bigger store than the current location in Charles City. Needham purchased the store from McNeilus in April 2017.

The Charles City store will change ownership on Sept. 1.

Look for a lot of the same things that McNeilus currently offers at the boutique once Dana takes over, like women’s and children’s clothing, vintage displays, jewelry and a vast selection of wine to choose from.

McNeilus said the iced coffee wine has been a really good seller as of late. Wine samples are also available while browsing for purchases.

McNeilus said she plans on working at the store on a part–time basis occasionally and mentoring Dana on some aspects of the business in a consulting capacity.

McNeilus’ store has found success in being unique as well as carrying popular brand names.

“We buy one or two of our items. We don’t want to look like a department store,” said McNeilus. “We liked being exclusive and having one or two of things, so we aren’t all wearing the same shirt in Charles City.”

The store has a warm and inviting laid–back feel to it, something that really drew Dana to the store when she first came to shop from out of town.

“It’s one of my favorite places to shop,” said Dana.

McNeilus said there will be a summer inventory sale with plenty of good deals all across the shop. Plus the new fall markets will be coming in stock soon.

Darbe and Co.’s hours will change somewhat starting in September. Store hours will be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, with the possibility of being open on Wednesday nights in the near future.

Rhonda and her husband, Gale, have three grown daughters who now all have families of their own and live in Charles City.

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