Bethany Liquori, owner of be Bella Boutique, is taking her mobile business to 34 School St. (HOPE E. TREMBLAY/THE WESTFIELD NEWS)
WESTFIELD – Bethany Strzempko Liquori is making her dream of owning a boutique come true in downtown Westfield during a pandemic.
Opening a store downtown is a feat in itself, but during the COVID-19 pandemic? That takes determination, something Liquori has in spades.
Liquori started her shop, Be Bella Boutique, two years ago as a mobile boutique. Her teal box truck has become well-known throughout the area, popping up when you least expect it, offering casual, pretty clothing for women. Her apparel and accessories are a reflection of Liquori’s own style.
Unique, casual apparel and accessories are offered at Be Bella Boutique, opening Feb. 17 at 34 School St. (HOPE E. TREMBLAY/THE WESTFIELD NEWS)
“I would say my style is always to be a little bit different than everyone else,” she said. “I like to have my clothing stand out and that is what I hope to achieve for my clientele. As a 44-year-old mother of six I still want to dress trendy and feel good about myself when I walk out the door.”
To achieve that goal, Liquori shared three steps she takes each day.
“I follow three things daily to put me in my best state of mind: 1 — Get up. 2 –Get Dressed. 3 — Get out,” said Liquori. “Looking good is feeling good. As far as styles, I try to carry a little bit of everything. I have women shopping from age 16 up to 75. I have also carried sizes small through 3X in the $28-$68 range. My customers always say they love to shop with me because the things I carry are different from what you find in the usual chain stores or malls.”
Bethany Liquori stands inside her Be Bella Boutique on School Street. (HOPE E. TREMBLAY/THE WESTFIELD NEWS)
Liquori always enjoyed fashion, something she shared with her mother who owned a women’s consignment shop in Southwick for many years. Liquori bought the children’s consignment shop next to her mother’s store, but sold her part of the business when she had her first child. Now that her children are getting older, the former gymnastics coach decided it was time to get back to her passion.
“When I started Be Bella Boutique as a mobile business, I hoped eventually I would grow into a brick and mortar. I guess I did not think it would happen quite so quickly. It has always been a little pipe dream of mine,” she said.
But when she saw an open storefront at 34 School St., she knew she had to have it.
“I chose the School Street location because I think it is just a quaint little street and the rent was perfect! It is exactly what I was looking for size-wise and price,” Liquori said. “Many people said ‘why don’t you look in other towns,’ stating we just don’t have that much going on in Westfield. My response to that is if I can help make our downtown a better place and bring the people there, than that is what I want to do.”
School Street, and the entire downtown Gaslight District, is an up-and-coming retail hotspot. From restaurants to gift shops, apparel stores and hair salons, the shops between Arnold and School streets have a lot to offer. And Liquori is happy to be part of the resurgence.
Be Bella Boutique offers a unique line of accessories. (HOPE E. TREMBLAY/THE WESTFIELD NEWS)
“I was born and raised in Westfield and it has a piece of my heart,” she said. “With the cute shops right next door I knew it would be a great opportunity for cross marketing with other businesses. My shop will offer mostly the same merchandise as the mobile boutique — women’s apparel and accessories.”
Liquori plans to bring in other vendors for special shopping nights.
“I have been so blessed by so many small businesses, predominately female owned, who have invited me to do events with them. I really just want to give that opportunity to other small business owners and bring them into my shop to promote their business. It’s all about supporting each other.”
Liquori and longtime friend Melissa Mcintire have supported each other personally and professionally for years. Mcintire, of Westfield, owns Manifest Designs and helped Liquori create the perfect aesthetic at Be Bella Boutique, with its soft, neutral color palette of creams, taupes and blush pinks, subtle prints, textures and cozy spaces to sit.
“Melissa is such an amazing interior decorator,” Liquori said. “We have been friends for years and she knew what my vision was and together we were able to make it come true.”
Liquori plans to open Feb. 17 and depending on customer needs, will be open four days a week in addition to private shopping appointments. “I find a lot of my customers enjoy that personal one-on-one shopping experience,” she said.
Liquori still can’t believe her dream is coming true.
Cozy spaces to sit are part of the ambiance at Be Bella Boutique. (HOPE E. TREMBLAY/THE WESTFIELD NEWS)
“I actually had little faith that my boutique would survive through the pandemic,” she said. “But I learned that when circumstances change you must pivot and think outside the box. So, I did a lot of research and took some online courses and brought my boutique online. Not only did I survive the pandemic, but I actually thrived and had a better year than the previous.”
Liquori credits her customers for giving her the confidence to open her shop.
“I have been able to build a wonderful customer base, and without that I would never have opened a brick and mortar,” she said. “Many customers have become friends . . . I’m a very social person and I love what I do. I think that is what will help me succeed in this business.”
Liquori is currently at a trade show and hopes to bring back unique spring items for her customers. Check her Be Bella Boutique Facebook page or visit bebella.boutique for updated hours and announcements.
