By Maddie Scott
Green Apple Active Lifestyle Boutique opened last November on the corner of 106th Street and Michigan Road, and is striving to be the community’s premier “sporty boutique,” with the goal of being unlike any other boutique in the Midwest, not only selling apparel, but also providing informative classes.
Having no partner or employees, the store’s owner, operator and buyer, Shelly Petrowski, has had to find a balance between home life and family life, but with the help of her family and friends, she has been able to build her store from the ground up along with meeting all her monthly goals.
Petrowski hopes to make Green Apple the gathering spot for those who are on a journey to evolve in body, mind and spirit.
“I’m all about living comfortably, happy and healthy,” Petrowski said.
Green Apple Active Lifestyle Boutique features a selection of the top names in active lifestyle clothing and loungewear, transitional pieces, jackets, boots and bags. It also carries clothing made in the U.S. along with organic apparel. Petrowski tries to stray away from selling things available in a department store and instead is bringing clothing in from the West coast.
“I love being able to share my passion for fashion with others,” Petrowski said.
Petrowski is trying to get the community involved as much as possible. In the back of the boutique, Petrowski has set up a studio where she hosts a series of related classes and events every month that are free to the public.
“The classes are both fun and informative,” Petrowski said.
Last month, she brought in yoga instructors from local yoga studios to teach a class every Saturday.
Along with classes on the weekends, Petowski also has started a book club and created a membership called Green Apple Active Ladies. Members receive a free pedometer and take part in a pedometer challenge created by Petrowski. After walking 300,000 steps, members earn a 30-percent discount on an item at Green Apple that month.
This summer, Petrowski hopes to get a group together to meet at the boutique and walk once or twice a week as a community. Petrowski has dreams of one day opening Green Apple cafes and spas, but for now is perfectly content with her boutique for the active and stylish on-the go woman.