Ryhan Boutique offers fashion forward for Ripon | News
Ryhan Boutique owner Kerrie Claxton stands outside her shop at 200 Watson St. It is open every day but Tuesday.
The downtown Ripon fashion scene has a new addition with the opening of Ryhan Boutique.
Kerrie Claxton, owner of the new store, recently relocated her shop from Oshkosh to Ripon because of the other boutiques. Last winter, some of her friends mentioned to her that a nice corner storefront was available in downtown Ripon and suggested that she should move her business there.
She contacted the Ripon Main Street office in March looking for a potential space and later signed a lease to move into 200 Watson St., which formerly was Alexandria Games.
“I felt downtown Ripon would be a great location for my boutique due to the fact that Ripon is starting to be known as a destination location and they have a wonderful, uplifting community,” Claxton said. “I fell in love with the beautiful historic space and location. In Oshkosh, the space was 400 to 450 square feet and moving my boutique to a 2,400 square-feet space, I was ecstatic.”
The idea for her store came during a rough time in her life, turning 50 years old and surviving breast cancer.
“[It] made me rethink my life’s journey,” Claxton said. “I have a passion for fashion and wanted to share my passion with other women by offering personalized service to make them feel comfortable and confident shipping for their own unique style.”
The name for her shop comes from her son and daughter, Claxton said. “Ry” for her son, Ryan, and “Han” for her daughter, Hanna, hence Ryhan Boutique. Her son lives in Milwaukee, while her daughter lives in Texas.
Although her business has been open for about a year, Claxton said she has a background in business administration, retail experience, fashion knowledge and customer service. Working alone in the shop for now, she offers modern stylish women’s clothing, jewelry, purses, sunglasses and hats.
Nothing unusual happens that often in a retail store, but Claxton said a customer in her Oshkosh location fainted one day while shopping. She recovered fully, Claxton said.
Kerrie Claxton, owner of Ryhan Boutique, shows off some of the merchandise available at her shop, which is the newest on Watson Street.
Hours of operation for the summer are Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The store is closed Tuesday.
Although the store had its soft opening Monday, July 1, Claxton plans to have a grand opening some time in late August or September.
When not running her shop, Claxton enjoys traveling and going on adventures, reading and spending time with friends and family.
“I see my business flourishing in downtown Ripon for many years,” she said. “As of this moment, I do not have an expansion plan, but in the near future that will be something I will be thinking about.”
For more information, call 920-509-4063 or visit www.ryhanboutique.com.
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