Uptown Lexington gains boutique and book store
Ashley Reece Hill, owner of Clara Jane Boutique in uptown Lexington, who is wearing a sweater and jewelry carried in her shop, stands next to a display of accessories such as handbags, hats, candles and Swig insulated cups. Above her are photos of her two grandmothers, who are the inspiration for the shop’s name. {Vikki Broughton Hodges/Davidson Local}
At first glance, a women’s clothing boutique and a book store in the same building might seem an unlikely pairing but the owners of the two businesses, Clara Jane Boutique and Pig City Books, have discovered a winning combination.
Davidson County native Ashley Reece Hill, who opened her first Clara Jane Boutique in Archdale in September 2020, opened her Lexington shop in November 2021 at 21 S. Main St., the former location of Nature’s Cottage, which moved to Thomasville.
Sedley Abercrombie, owner of Pig City Books, which is located in two back rooms inside the Clara Jane Boutique at 21 S. Main St., carries a variety of books in the store and can order just about anything for customers to pick up. {Contributed photo}
While boutique products were displayed in the front of the building, treatment rooms in the back of the former spa were not being used. When Sedley Abercrombie, owner of Pig City Books, an online and pop-up book market, inquired about subleasing some space while shopping around Christmas, the two entrepreneurs agreed to join forces.
Pig City Books opened in early January in one room of the building and has already expanded into a second room.
“It’s definitely been good,” Hill said. “I didn’t know how well it would mesh but it’s been a good transition and a good mix.”
Abercrombie said the two businesses are complementary. Her book customers walk through the boutique to get to her space and often stop to check out boutique products — and vice versa.
“We’re different enough types of businesses that we’re not competing,” she explained. “It’s helping me and it’s helping her.”
Hill has been pleased with the amount of foot traffic she gets for her boutique in the heart of downtown Lexington. She noted a recent sunny, warm Saturday brought out a lot of shoppers. “I hope that’s a glimpse of things to come.”
The Trinity resident, who formerly worked in automotive marketing, said she wanted to get back to work once her children were back in school in person. “I’ve always wanted to open up a shop — I love shopping,” Hill admitted.
The boutique is named for her two grandmothers, who also loved to shop and whose photos adorn one of her display walls filled with accessories such as jewelry and home décor. She supports other local small business owners by carrying Cabin Fever Soap made in Trinity and Twisted Cork Candles crafted in High Point. Myra handbags and Swig insulated cups, which are popular gift items, are also stocked.
Clara Jane Boutique owner Ashley Reece Hill works on clothing displays in the shop. {Vikki Broughton Hodges/Davidson Local}
Clothing lines in the store include Judy Blue and KanCan jeans, Umgee tops and dresses and Zenana apparel. Sizes run from small to plus sizes.
Clara Jane Boutique hours are 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Hill regularly updates the shop’s Facebook page with specials and new products.
Abercrombie and her daughter, Emma, launched Pig City Books in June 2021 with online sales and pop-up markets at local businesses like Perfect Blend Coffee, the Goose and the Monkey Brewhouse and Bull City Ciderworks.
“Pop-ups are quite common,” she explained, adding that the number of small, independent book stores nationwide has doubled in the past 10 years.
Abercrombie is a career librarian who has worked in the Davidson County Schools system as well as the Davidson County Public Library and currently teaches in the Lexington City Schools along with online library courses at the college level.
“I’ve been passionate about books and literature my whole life,” she said. She hand picks everything the store carries based on reviews, best-seller lists and customer requests.
One of the rooms is devoted to children’s books, from baby books to those suitable for children up to 12 years of age. The other room has a young adult section and adult categories including new releases and best-sellers, mysteries, cookbooks, faith and spirituality, local and North Carolina authors. She carries some book-related gift items such as bookmarks, hats, T-shirts, cards and journals. “I think we have something for everyone.” She can order through Bookshop.com for free local delivery, too.
Abercrombie works with two local book clubs, the Bull City Book Club that meets at Bull City Ciderworks and the 2nd and Main Book Club that meets at the local bar.
Emma Abercrombie stands next to a display of books in the children’s room of Pig City Books. {Vikki Broughton Hodges/Davidson Local}
Since she and her daughter have day jobs, the book store is staffed from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Fridays with Emma and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with Abercrombie. But customers can pick up orders from Hill at the boutique during her business hours.
“We want to grow at a rate that’s sustainable and scalable, however big or small that might be,” Abercrombie said. “I’m feeling confident how we’re trending sales-wise.”
She plans to host authors at the store when possible and will have a grand opening and “Parade of Authors” from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 26, to meet customers and talk about their books. The website is www.pigcitybooks.com and updates are posted on Facebook.
Uptown Lexington, the nonprofit organization charged with revitalizing the downtown business district, will host a joint ribbon-cutting for the boutique and the book store at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 22.
