With the “pop” of a champagne bottle, high-end boutique Ellie Belle opened its doors to the public.
The grand opening event on Thursday, July 31, included a ribbon-cutting, champagne and other treats, as well as the opportunity to explore the shop’s high-end products from brands such as Prada, Hermès, Dior and Versace.
Ellie Belle, at 16570 W. 78th St., Suite 120, is an appointment-only boutique that offers a personalized shopping experience for any event, whether a wedding or just for fun, founder Stephnora Peterson said.
Though the shop held a soft launch for appointments on July 1, the grand opening allowed the public to stop in without one.
Mayor Ron Case stopped for the ribbon-cutting ceremony, where he congratulated the team on their opening.
A brick-and-mortar store was a long time coming, Peterson said. Ellie Belle originally opened as an online retailer in 2023, shipping items worldwide.
Peterson said she had been working on opening the store for years, inspired by her love for fashion.
“It’s a vision inspired by my own closet,” Peterson said.
Ellie Belle also has its own tailors, so if an item doesn’t fit exactly as desired, shoppers can have it altered, Peterson said.
“If someone buys a designer dress from us, I don’t want them to have to worry about where you go to tailor it,” Peterson said. “I wanted to make sure that we have the equipment and craft to be able to get it done here.”
Peterson said she chose to be an appointment-only business to further personalize customers’ shopping experiences. Shopping attendants ask customers about what they are looking for, the occasion they are shopping for, and their general preferences to curate the experience.
“We want you to know that there is no rush when you’re here,” Peterson said. “You’re able to shop for one hour or more, as needed. That is dedicated to you, and we’re all about you whenever you are in our team.”
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