16 August, 2023
New boutique store opens in Esk
A new retail store named Nicola’s Boutique opened its doors in Esk last Thursday, as there was a crowd of enthusiastic local women amid champagne and canapes at the evening launch.
The new store’s owner Nicola Choat said the opening of Nicola’s Boutique was years in the planning and a life-long dream for her.
“I love fashion like most women and hail from a small-business family,” she said.
“I’ve worked in retail for many years and have always wanted to open my own business, so this is an exciting time.”
Mrs Choat said she’d watched Esk over the past few years and decided it was definitely the place in the Somerset to invest.
“I love Esk and have looked at several premises since 2019, but this facility adjoining Esk Dental was the stand-out and when it recently came up for lease, I knew I had to make a move,” she said.
Nicola’s Boutique will supply women’s fashion and a range of accessories, from handbags and clutches to jewellery. The range extends from daywear to evening wear.
“I really think Nicola’s will complement the range of great businesses in town,” Mrs Choat said.
“I want to create a boutique experience for the Somerset which is a little lux and becomes a place of relaxation for ladies through good old-fashioned retail therapy.”
Mrs Choat was joined for a ribbon cutting by State Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington, and Somerset Deputy Mayor, Helen Brieschke.
Mrs Frecklington said she was really excited to assist in launching a new business for the region.
“I’m really honoured to be here, but more excited to have a business like this which quite honestly you would expect in inner Brisbane or Melbourne,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“There’s nothing like a good ‘frock shop’ and I’m very impressed with what I see.”
Cr Brieschke said she understood what went into opening a small business, and said she believed local women would appreciate having a new boutique in the region.
“It’s great to see people like the Choat family invest in our region,” Cr Brieschke said.
“I know from personal experience it takes a lot of effort to commit to a small business and by the looks of what Nicky has set up, the effort will be rewarded.”
Nicola’s Boutique is open Thursdays to Sundays at Shop 2/197 Ipswich Street, Esk, with plans to expand the lines of merchandise available to service the fashion needs of the wider Somerset Region.
