Vintage Grace Boutique opened in 2017, but when the previous owners moved, Becca Carl’s dream came true.

Carl has worked in retail since childhood and was the general manager and market trainer for a high-end cosmetics company in Pittsburgh.

She and the previous shop owner shared a similar aesthetic sensibility and vision for fashion and beauty, so when they decided to sell, they turned to Carl and his wife Carole.

“We had considered owning a boutique three times in the last 15 years and this time it was right. I quit my job and we took over Vintage Grace in August 2022,” said Carl.

The boutique offers fashionable “boho-style” pieces in sizes XS to 3X, but it is probably the atmosphere that customers remember most.

“I think the first thing everyone says is that they can feel the positive energy here. We offer all sizes, but we’re really about helping someone feel more confident,” Carl said. “For me, it’s not just about the clothes.”

She loves the connection that comes from shopping in small shops and carefully selects the products for her store.

“I spend a lot of time putting together collections. I have a small focus group of customers that I listen to carefully, and I pay attention to fit, fabric, performance and how it feels on the skin,” said Carl. “I now know what to look for and have trusted brands.”

Carl remembers that her mother, a trained seamstress, could instantly judge a person’s size and knew what fit would look best on them. Helping women with fashion and beauty comes naturally to her and she enjoys finding the perfect piece to suit the customer’s needs.

“It’s just in my blood. I believe beauty comes from within. Whether you do makeup, hair or clothes, those things are just a channel to what you already have inside you,” Carl said.

The Army veteran is also a big advocate of supporting small and local businesses, even before she owned her own boutique.

She makes her own jewelry and custom hats and works with local business owners to offer a wider range of accessories.

“Small businesses are people living their dream and that’s how we’ve become what we are as a country. If you go to a big store, you’re missing out,” Carl said. “I’m all about collaboration and that’s great because I’m the first to admit I don’t know how to work with leather, so I get a woman who is an artisan and works with leather.”

Vintage Grace also offers gift giving opportunities, custom baskets, and item rentals for events or private parties.

“I can make a gift collection out of anything. It’s like a style box. Maybe you pick out a handbag, jewelry, a candle or a book. I buy small bottles of wine from one of our local wineries so we can put that in there,” Carl said. “My goal is to have something for every price range and for everyone.”

Vintage Grace Boutique is located at 900 Wildflower Circle, Suite 908 in Washington.

In addition, Carl can be found at many local women’s events and community festivals with a mobile mini-boutique.

For more information visit https://www.vintagegraceboutique.com/.