After being in the corporate world for over 40 years, Christine Mauro needed an outlet for her creativity. She started small, and today, she owns two flourishing shops on Main Street in the lovely town of Clinton.

“Around 2015, I started bringing my handmade soaps, body creams, body scrubs, talc-free powders, and bath bombs to different festivals on weekends,” she says. A talented crocheter, she also sold pretty infinity scarves, hats and more.

In 2016, Christine began offering her merchandise at the Christkindlmarkt in Bethlehem, PA. “People loved the merchandise and told me I should open my own store.”

Since she was working full-time, she didn’t think that was an option. However, in December 2016, she spotted a for-rent sign at 49 Main Street. “It was this tiny storefront, and I thought maybe I could run it on weekends.” In March of 2017, she opened Christine's Bath & Gift Boutique.

At first, the store just sold bath and body products and candles. “It was my weekend side gig, but then I started building up this clientele who were asking to visit the store during the week.” Christine hired a weekday employee, and the store began to take off.

Everything was going great, but in February of 2018, the building was sold. This turned out to be a blessing. “The new landlord came to me and said, ‘I'm revamping the store downstairs. Would you like to expand?’ I said, ‘Absolutely!’”

This enabled her to bring in even more desirable goods such as curated home fashion items, gardening accessories, handbags and more. Many of these items are handcrafted by U.S. artists and include Fair Trade merchandise from all over the world.

A few years later, Christine expanded again, this time in another direction. “I noticed an influx of younger families moving to Hunterdon County and pushing strollers up and down Main Street. That made me think we needed a children's store in town.”

Once again, fate was on her side when she spotted a for-rent sign, this time at 25 Main Street. “I knew that would be an excellent location for a quaint children's boutique. I wanted to offer a reasonable price point for everyday wearable, all organic merchandise, and select toys.

Trying to come up with the right name for the store proved difficult, but her daughter-in-law had an idea. “I have two grandchildren, Cameron and Christian,” says Christine. “Cameron was born in February, and the birth flower for February is primrose. Christian was born in August, and the birth flower for August is poppy.”

In 2022, Primrose + Poppy Children’s Boutique opened its doors. “We take pride in offering a unique selection of organic, sustainable and eco-friendly children's clothing, toys, and games.”

No plastics are in the store, and no toys that require a battery or have screens. “These are classic, wooden, use-your-imagination types of toys.”

When children come in, they dance around to kids' music and enjoy the sunny and bright atmosphere. Parents and other shoppers appreciate the personalized attention. If someone is buying a gift, Christine and her staff go above and beyond to ensure the bags are pretty with ribbons and tissue paper.

“I go outside the box by looking for things that are unique and different,” she says. “You're not going to walk into the next store and be able to get them.”

If you want to start your own business, find something you love and be creative in offering it in unique and exciting ways, just like Christine is doing. The more passionate you are about it, the more your customers will gravitate towards it.