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You may know So Chic Events for the awe-inspiring weddings, polished corporate and nonprofit banquets, and special events it’s coordinated in central Illinois for the past six years. But come September 6th, the Morton-based business has a big debut in store—the opening of its new retail venture.

“I always thought I would do something in retail,” says Sara O’Shea, owner of So Chic Boutique & Events. “As my business has grown and changed and I’ve been able to identify… the things we need for events, I was finding this big gap of what we needed and what we could find locally.”

As a small business owner, O’Shea says it “killed” her to turn to big-city shops and the Internet to find the decorations and supplies she had in mind while planning her own wedding and son’s first birthday party. With a unique inventory to serve all budgets, she is confident So Chic Boutique will keep brides and party planners staying local to shop for their next event.

O’Shea describes the boutique’s bridal and everyday party supplies as “more of the ‘handmade’ style, versus the big-box, manufactured kind of things.” “We have this amazing handmade garter line… gorgeous toasting flutes, really cute ‘wedding day emergency’ kits, handmade guest books, ring bearer pillows, flower girl baskets… things for baby showers, birthday parties, bridal showers—the cute plates, the napkins, paper straws, invitations.”

Another bonus, she adds, “Because of the event planning side we bring to it, when a customer comes to shop with us, not only are they coming to a retail store, but we can help style their event while they shop with us.”

For those worried about breaking the bank, have no fear. O’Shea has become an expert in getting the most “bang for your buck.” “I think people are actually less creative with all the resources they have. They tend to be more creative when they say, ‘Okay, that’s the look that I want, but here’s the price point I have to hit,’” she explains. “I love the challenge of creating a big impact on a limited budget.”

So Chic Boutique & Events opens Friday, September 6th at 316 S. Main Street in Morton. Hours are Tuesday through Friday, 10am to 6pm; Saturday, 11am to 2pm. Call (309) 696-7969 or learn more at so-chic.com. iBi

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