Looking for just the suit or dress to wear to that special Christmas banquet or church service?
Look no further than Steppin’ Out Boutique, a ladies specialty clothing shop at 529 Warren St. in McComb.
In fact, store owner Stephanie Robinson says her bread and butter comes from sales to women primarily for church services.
Robinson has hung tough in the last years of the deep recession, and she says she’s seeing a trend for the better.
“I think 2014 was a better year,” she said. “I feel a lot better about my business. I’ve had the store since 2005; it doesn’t seem like it’s been nine years.”
One big addition to Steppin’ Out is part-time employee Gloria Harrell, a minister’s wife who stepped in to help Robinson when she had surgery on her shoulder.
Robinson fell outside her store in the ice storm that hit southwest Mississippi earlier this year, and Harrell was just the person to help out.
“She’s a people person,” Robinson said of Harrell. “She was a customer, and we just clicked. I definitely have more traffic.”
Harrell and Robinson, both very involved in their churches, welcome customers to shop at Steppin’ Out, where just about every shade on the color wheel is available in suits and dresses.
“It is a little mission in here,” Robinson said, noting that she has lots of church friends who visit her at the store.
“This is where we came up with the Quiet Heroes Gala idea. It came out of this shop.”
The gala, which debuted this year, honored local women in the community.
This time of year, red is the word, and Steppin’ Out Boutique has lots of smart-looking suits in various shades of red.
If a white suit is what’s needed for this holiday season, Steppin’ Out has that, too, with racks of designer suits ready to wear.
Robinson said her Dec. 7 holiday open house was a big success, with ladies visiting, browsing — and buying — during customer appreciation day.
“We did really well,” Robinson said. “Christmas is always a good time for me.”
Church revivals also have women looking for something snazzy to wear, and Robinson has had some special orders for uniforms for ushers, etc. — something she’d like to do more of.
Robinson depends on those repeat customers to make it each year. One, in particular, lives in Denver and orders his mother-in-law a hat for Christmas and Mother’s Day.
“He never misses,” she said.
Robinson’s best-selling brand is Lily & Taylor, which dazzles customers with a variety of materials, including woolen satin, and rich, vibrant colors.
“Lily & Taylor is my niche,” Robinson said. “It’s my thing and customers come in for it. They specialize in suits.”
Robinson tries not to have a lot of space tied up in identical clothing in a whole range of sizes. She prefers to mix it up and give people more of a choice.
Of course, she can always order something in another size for a customer.
“We carry sizes 4 to 34,” Robinson said. “Some people think we have only plus-sizes, but we can fit everybody. We have something for everyone.”
Robinson, the daughter of the late Ernest and Dorothy Nobles, remembers growing up when people really dressed up to go out.
“We had what we called our Sunday go-to-meeting clothes and shoes, and we could only wear them for church — and when we had pictures taken,” Robinson said. “We always dressed up.”
A beautiful new suit is a perfect gift for the holidays, and Robinson has plenty of items to complete that outfit, with color-coordinated hats and a line of J. Renee shoes that more mature clients really like.
She also sells jewelry, purses and the Berkshire Hosiery line.
A small part of her business is tuxedo rentals, and Robinson would like to see that grow.
But the emphasis at Steppin’ Out is making a client look good and feel good in quality clothing, and there’s no better feeling for Robinson than to have someone come in, find just the right suit and walk out feeling like a winner.
Steppin’ Out Boutique is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Call 684-5794.
