Local Biz Buzz

By Steve Lorch
For The Courier

slorch@thepccourier.com

PICKENS — “Classy, sassy, and southern” is the style of the day at Southern Girl Market.

The boutique emporium is the West Main Street storefront of owner Melissa Aiken in Pickens.

Steve Lorch/Courier
Boutique owner Melissa Aiken poses with some of the items available at the Southern Girl Market in Pickens

Born and raised in Pickens, Aiken is as southern as they come.

“It’s all about faith and family,” she said. “I’m just a hometown girl catering to other hometown girls in Pickens County.”

Southern Girl Market primarily deals in ladies’ clothing and accessories with a southern flare.

“Clothes and handbags are our biggest sellers,” Aiken said. “We carry uniquely southern brands like ‘Mudpie’ and ‘Simply Southern.’”

Still working as a school nurse at Pickens Elementary, Aiken started Southern Girl as a side job.

“I began selling door-to-door in doctors’ offices and among friends,” she said. “As things picked up, I needed an actual storefront.”

And not just any storefront.

“I really wanted to be in Pickens, and I really wanted to be on West Main Street,” she said. “Some friends and I are trying to revitalize that section through commerce.”

As far as niches go, Southern Girl Market specializes in stuff that is not normally found in other retail stores.

“We do some custom work,” Aiken explained. “And we do a lot of monograms.”

The plan is to eventually expand as business picks up.

“We hope to outgrow this building one day,” she said. “We want to stay local, but maybe open up another store in Easley as well.”

The company is also in the process of building its website, where goods can be purchased online.

“That will be www.southerngirlmarket.com, but it’s not up and running just yet,” Aiken said. “Right now, the best way to keep up with our current selection is to follow us on Facebook.”

Next time you’re walking down East Main, go a bit further, cross over to the west side of town and say hello. You might just find that special southern something you’ve been looking for.

Southern Girl Market is located at 131 West Main St. in Pickens. Hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday. The store can be reached by phone at (864) 630-9504.

If you know a local small business that would like to be featured in this column, please contact slorch@thepccourier.com.