Leamington boutique marks 30 years with community celebration
An independent boutique in Leamington Spa has celebrated its 30th birthday.
Applause, located on Park Street, marked the occasion in-store with an array of drinks and sweet treats from local businesses in the town, including chocolates by Ceny Cacao, sweets treats by Corner Cottage Bakery and fizz by Magestic Wine.
Balloons were provided by the local events company Leamington Party.
Store owner Claire Ashby said: "People came out specifically to show their support.
"We've got a beautiful garden that we set up with drinks and nice chairs."
She added: "The mayor came along to wish us a happy birthday, and she is actually a customer anyway.
"It was just a way to say thank you to our customers, keeping us here for 30 years."
The womenswear boutique offers a curated selection of designer clothing and accessories, which Claire explained are of high quality.
She shared: "Some of our customers will say, 'I bought a pair of trousers from you 20 years ago, and I'm still wearing them!'"
Claire took over Applause from founder Jean Molyneux, who started the business in 1995.
Shortly after taking over, the COVID-19 pandemic hit, forcing Claire to shut the store.
She explained: "I just thought, well, there's nothing I can do but close.
"But, thanks to all my lovely customers, they kept me afloat, and when I reopened, it was so busy.
"We have amazing, fabulous customers, most of who are repeat customers, but we do still get lots of newbies, which is wonderful."
In 2022, The Telegraph listed Applause among the top 50 boutiques in the UK.
Claire recalled: "I didn't even know until I stumbled across it online.
"I literally was sitting, waiting for my daughter to come out of a dance lesson, and I typed in Applause, Leamington Spa, and it came up.
"It was a lovely surprise."
As an independent store owner, Claire acknowledged some of the challenges of running the Applause: "Generally, it is hard, but I think we offer a great product and a great service.
"Yes, there are quiet days, but generally we're happy because we offer a good service, we take pride in what we sell, the shop looks good, and it's a lovely, happy environment to be in.
"In Leamington, I'd like to see more shops, and it'd be nice for lots more businesses to come in.
"I love the community, the independence, that is what we're known for, and that's what keeps Leamington going."
Looking ahead, Claire plans to continue offering high-quality clothing and seek out new labels, prioritising natural fabrics like cotton.
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