Liz Stewart poses in her shop Westboro Closet Candy. Photo courtesy of Westboro Village BIA.

Liz Stewart said she was drawn to fashion from an early age. She recalled her teenage years growing up in Thunder Bay, where she started modelling and dabbling in “a bit of everything.” That period culminated with Liz competing in a modelling competition in New York.

“I’ve always had a creative side and love of fashion. So opening up a boutique, I just thought it was a good fit for me,” she said.

Liz did just that, and opened Westboro Closet Candy in 2016, a women’s clothing shop in Westboro Village.

“It was a steep learning curve at the beginning because I did not come from a business background. It came with challenges, but I was up for it. And here I am!”

The shop carries a curated selection of lines, she said, adding that many of the brands are designed and made in Canada.

“I’d say there’s a big variety and it caters to all ages,” Liz said.

Asked what draws her to curating a clothing boutique, Liz said her creativity fuels that drive. “I like colour. I like putting things together. I like creating displays.”

“I like looking at somebody and helping them see what’s good on them or what suits them,” she said.

Pictured is a shelf display in Westboro Closet Candy. Photo courtesy of Liz Stewart.

Liz said she loves that running her shop allows her to get to know people. “I like the social interaction. It’s fun,” she said, noting she also enjoys the feedback she gets from customers.

“I just find that really heartwarming. It makes me so happy when customers tell me it’s their favourite place to shop.”

She said she has a personal shopper (a professional who shops styles for their clients) who travels from Montreal to Ottawa to shop her boutique.

“I think that’s a big compliment,” Liz said, given that the shopper travels widely to scout items for their clients.

She said her former career as a cosmetic nurse injection specialist prepared her to work with customers in her role running Westboro Closet Candy.

“I was very used to helping people look and feel their best,” she said. “Now I feel I’m still doing that, but just in a different way.”

She remembered one interaction in particular with someone who was in town for a wedding and forgot their outfit.

The customer came into the store, and Liz worked with the woman to pull an outfit together.

“She says, ‘Oh, now what am I going to do for shoes? There’s no shoe stores around here.'”

“So I just lent her a pair of mine,” said Liz.

She said she often gets thanked by customers for going the extra mile. For her, she said it’s not just about helping people find clothes, but providing a full experience where she can make them feel good about themselves.

“I encourage them to feel good about themselves in their own skin and feel as best as they can.”

To learn more about Westboro Closet Candy, you can visit their website, Facebook and Instagram!