Haven Boutique offers trendy women’s apparel

By James Grob, jgrob@charlescitypress.com

Before you drive off to Waterloo or Mason City in search of that perfect dress for the occasion, you might want to check out a local ”haven.”

You could possibly save yourself some gas money.

Hannah Pogemiller said some local patrons are starting to make a habit of stopping at her new store — Haven Boutique — before shopping out of town, and often they’re finding what they need right here in Charles City.

“So many customers and return customers will tell me they have a wedding, or an event later this afternoon, and just wanted to see what I had for a top,” she said. “Usually they can find something.”

Pogemiller opened up Haven Boutique in April, and although business has “been kind of on and off” so far, she is hopeful it will pick up with back-to-school shopping coming up.

“I think Charles City can always use new businesses and variety,” Pogemiller said. “This tends to be a little bit more trendy clothes, appropriate for Iowa.”

She said that the apparel available is typically for women under age 50, but it all really depends upon how they like to dress.

“They’re just boutique brands that I’ve kind of fallen in love with and enjoy,” she said. “I find out if they’re good quality, and I try to choose things made in the USA. Not everything is, but that’s definitely a goal.”

Haven Boutique is having a “little summer sale” this Saturday, with selected pieces 25 percent off, which will be a good opportunity for shoppers to stop in and take a look at the apparel Pogemiller has.

Pogemiller was previously a LuLaRoe dealer based in Charles City area, which allowed her to be at home with her kids — two boys, age 5 and 7. Her retail work with LuLaRoe, a multi-level direct-sales marketing company that sells women’s clothing, gave her a feel for what women like, especially here in Charles City.

“Now that the kids are in school, I decided that I wanted to branch out on my own,” she said. “So I retired from LuLaRoe and have ordered my own product.”

Haven Boutique carries sizes small through 3X, as well as accessories. Pogemiller said she will be expanding as she sees what else customers like.

“I try to carry a mix of basics too,” she added. “Plus special event dresses — whether it’s for a wedding or a baby shower or something like that.”

Pogemiller is originally from Moline, Ill., while her husband, Lucas, is a Charles City native. They met when he was in school in the Quad Cities, and they share the location at 504 Clark Street, right next door to the Knights of Columbus building.

Pogemiller Chiropractic, which opened in 2011, sees patients Monday, Wednesday and Friday by appointment. Haven Boutique — at the same location — is open Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., as well as Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

“We come to work opposite days,” she said.

Haven Boutiqiue also has an online presence, so anyone in the country can buy from her.

“They can order online through my website,” said Pogemiller. “I pretty much have everything that’s in my store on the website.”

Customers can visit the website at shoppinghavenboutique.com. Pogemiller does a lot of social media interaction online with customers.

“It’s definitely a good way to showcase a new arrival or a new outfit,” she said.