A member of the River Valley Chamber of Commerce, White stated, “People shouldn’t have to drive out of town to shop at a women’s clothing store.”

The boutique, which opened in April 2012, was originally located at 187 Main Street in Mexico. “After about a month, business was so good that when the opportunity came to move and expand, I jumped at the chance,” White said. The move to 125 Main Street, across from the Mexico Fire Station, increased sales floor and storage space and allowed White to open a room dedicated to gently used formal dresses and gowns, including bridal gowns.

The boutique also offers brand-name consignment clothing, shoes and purses, as well as new scarves, hair accessories, jewelry, nail polish, and perfume. New clothing is being phased out in favor of more consignment clothing. Sales of consignment clothing are brisk in part due to White’s consignment policies.

“Most consignment shops keep 60 percent or more from the sale of used clothing,” White said. “I split the money 50-50 and give unsold items back to the consigner, which is also something the majority of consignment shops do not do. The way I do it puts more money right back into the community.”

Over $13,000 has been pumped back into the community through consignment sales since the boutique opened.

Family is at the heart of White’s enterprise. A 1989 graduate of Mexico High School, White lives in Rumford, is married and has two children. John White is a maintenance supervisor at Sunday River, and sons Kyle, 11, and Colton, 7, attend Rumford Elementary School.

“The whole family, including my parents, my sister, brother-in-law, my niece and nephew, have pitched in to help me. We’ve painted, cleaned, moved things, built things, and decorated. You name it, we’ve done it.”

White’s parents, Harry and Rose Richard, watch the boys after school, and Rose spends a day each week at the boutique. White is also grateful for the various friends who have come to the boutique to lend a hand.

The boutique’s hours are scheduled to provide White maximum time at home with her young family. Simply the Best is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and the second Saturday of each month.

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