Boutique Shopping Now Available on Fifth Street

Looking for a unique boutique shopping experience? Guess what? You don’t have to leave Ellwood City.

Just head over to AOE Boutique at 213 Fifth Street for the store’s Grand Opening on June 20.

Brittany Linko, owner, said the boutique will feature casual collections, snacks, shoes, and accessories. She said she could not pass up the cozy little spot she found for her business right in the heart of Ellwood City.

“I found a gorgeous storefront with great bones on 5th St. for rent, and I knew it was just the right place for me,” said AOE Boutique Owner Brittany Linko. “I have always loved Ellwood City and would come here for all the festivals every year! I am very excited to bring my business here.”

And AOE has something for EVERYONE from sizes S-3XL.

“This is very rare to find,” Linko said. “My goal is to offer a place where you, your mom, your grandma, your daughter and neighbor can all come and shop together.”

She believes that is the best part of her new boutique.

“It’s a place people can bring their friends and family, meet up and have fun together,” Linko said. “We plan to do monthly sip and shops that will be hosted shopping times. We will book the store for after-hours shopping by invite only, so you can invite your friends and family to come shop privately.”

Linko is no stranger to the world of fashion and business. She opened an online business in 2017.

“I quickly realized how much I loved the community of women I was meeting, and realized I had found my calling,” Linko said.

A big part of that calling is helping women discover their own confidence.

“I love being able to watch so many faces light up as they try on my clothes and finally feel confident again,” she said.

Linko’s approach with a personalized shopping experience has been a great success. She has grown her customer base so much, that what was an at home business with a dedicated group of customers has now expanded enough for her first store. She said working at home with three kids despite having a full-time nanny, was no longer an option.

“I am proud of growing to the place of moving out of my home, there were many times during this transition period where my driveway would be full of cars,” she said. “We were so blessed that so many chose to support me, but we knew it was time for more space. Now I have the front of my building for the store, and a huge warehouse and office space in the back for me and my employees to work.”

Linko said her biggest business success so far is her community in her online shopping group.

“Many of my customers have turned into my closest family friends! They come to birthday parties, hang out with my kids, they are watching my babies grow up, and they make me want to come to work every day,” she said.

According to Linko she also loves to see the friendships forged between members of her group and hopes to grow her circle of friends with the opening of her brick and mortar store.

“I am so looking forward to meeting so many new wonderful faces,” she said. “The absolute best part of my business is all the amazing relationships that I have been able to have through this, I can’t wait to grow that even more.”

Stop out on June 20 for AOE’s grand opening event from 11 to 6.

Linko said extra precautions will be taken for the safety of customers.

AOE will be limiting it to 15 shoppers in the store. There will be a drink/single serve grab and go snack station outside to keep you entertained while you wait to shop!
Masks are suggested but will not be enforcing if you choose not to wear one.
Employees will be wearing masks and will sanitize the counter after you checkout.
Fitting rooms will be sanitized between uses, and clothes tried on and unwanted will be steamed and sanitized before returning to the sales floor.

“We want you to feel safe and have a pleasant shopping experience with us,” Linko said.

If you can’t make it to the grand opening, stop by during Regular Business Hours: