Location boosts foot traffic for Perrysburg boutique

A person can feel like a goldfish in a glass bowl in Angel Elden’s new Perrysburg boutique.

The big glass windows overlook Louisiana Avenue and Front Street, so it seems as if passers-by’s eyes are focused on the inner-goings-on of the shop.

Angel Elden THE BLADE/KATIE RAUSCH Enlarge | Buy This Photo

It’s that prominent location – right in the historic downtown – that made Mrs. Elden move Angel And Company this summer from 129 Third St. to its new location at 101 Louisiana Ave.

Foot traffic has quadrupled since she reopened three weeks ago, Mrs. Elden said.

On a bustling Thursday night, when the farmers market is in full swing, about 75 people typically venture into the boutique. On slower days, about a dozen enter.

“There’s no question of it being a good spot,” she said of her store.

So far, Mrs. Elden said, she is not sure how much profit she has made. She and her husband, Mark Elden, who co-own it together, have invested at least $20,000 in startup costs for rent, inventory and other expenses.

The store is quaint – wooden floors, clean white walls and chandeliers hanging from the ceiling.

Handmade crosses from Haiti are among items for sale at the store. THE BLADE/KATIE RAUSCH Enlarge | Buy This Photo

“It looks awesome,” said friend Mary Hoffman, who wandered into the store on a recent Friday.

Mrs. Elden sells everything from mugs printed with hipster fad of ironic mustaches, vintage vases, children’s stuffed alligators, scarves and decorative signs. And of course, flowers.

It’s a throwback to the longtime flower shop that ran for about four decades before it closed and Mrs. Elden took over.

She and her husband, who also works at North Star BlueScope Steel plant in Delta, are the only full-time regular employees, although two friends sometimes help with financial books and other duties, she said.

Mrs. Elden, who has lived in the city her entire life and graduated from Perrysburg High School in 1978, started running an event-planning business out of her garage for about 15 years.

It wasn’t the most professional location. Customers stumbled across bikes or her son playing with the water hose.

Arranging flowers was her talent, she said.

“It’s a gift, and I’m blessed with it,” said Mrs. Elden, whose maiden name is McNamee. “Now, I’m embracing it.”

In the future, Ms. Elden said she wants to sponsor ladies’ night and more arts and crafts at her store.

Business hours are 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. The store is open until 8 p.m. Thursday for the farmers market and has flexible hours Saturdays, usually closing around 3 p.m. Most items range from $12 to $100 in price.

Contact Gabrielle Russon at grusson@theblade.com, 419-351-0361 or on Twitter @GabrielleRusson.