ADRIAN — Passion 4 Fashion, a clothing, accessories, jewelry and gift boutique in downtown Adrian, is celebrating its 10th anniversary. Owner Gloria Kuntz, who also owns a boutique by the same name in Wauseon, Ohio, has been helping customers find unique items since she opened the store.
Kuntz got interested in opening a store in Adrian because it’s a college town, and because it’s a quick commute from her home at Devils Lake. She also saw an opportunity in Adrian that she was interested in taking advantage of.
“I felt that there is a need here,” Kuntz said. “There wasn’t anything really downtown at the time that had as much as apparel offering as what we have.”
Kuntz travels to trade shows in Atlanta, Nashville and Las Vegas to find items for Passion 4 Fashion. She focuses on buying for her customer base on the shopping trips.
“The biggest percentage of our business is our apparel,” she said. Passion 4 Fashion carries Brighton Jewelry, a line of jewelry that is typically sold in freestanding retail stores owned by the business, Kuntz said. She had to go through an approval process before she could carry the line of jewelry in her boutique.
“I feel so very lucky to bring it in here,” she said, “and we have a following for it.”
Passion 4 Fashion also carries jewelry by Katie Loxton, a British company.
Passion 4 Fashion carries casual and more formal wear, priced in a range that makes it affordable for the shopper.
“A lot of times, people hear the word ‘boutique’ and they think ‘Oh, I can’t afford it,’ ” Kuntz said.
“We do have some higher-end items for sure, and we do have some moderate-priced items as well,” she continued, but Passion 4 Fashion also has gift items and jewelry priced for $20 and under.
Seasonal winter items that are in stock include vests, gloves, hats, shoes and socks.
Passion 4 Fashion carries lotions, soaps, sponges and other body care products from the Caren line and Dr. Squatch. The Caren line of products was originally created for breast cancer patients who needed products that their skin could tolerate, Kuntz said. Dr. Squatch products for men include a soap line and gift items.
Kuntz sees the focus of Passion 4 Fashion as the one-on-one service that the boutique offers.
“We make it a very personal shopping experience,” Kuntz said. “We get to know our customers; we get to know what they like.”
“If they’re having a bad day or whatever, we’re here to be a positive influence in their life,” she added. “I think that’s why we’ve lasted so long, because when they come in, they know they’re going to get a positive, friendly, uplifting shopping experience.”
Passion 4 Fashion is located at 143 N. Main St. in downtown Adrian. The store can be found at facebook.com/PassionforFashionBoutique and on Instagram @P4FBoutique. The boutique can be reached by phone at 517-264-6020. Store hours are Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
