Somerset midwife, business owner opens Reverie boutique for children

2022-05-28 22:58:38 By : Ms. Ellen Hong

Julie Huston has helped thousands of mothers and babies in Somerset County during her 18 years as a certified nurse midwife. She’s also a business owner and a mom of four children.

All of that life experience has influenced the start of Huston’s newest venture, a retail boutique called Reverie, which officially opened with a ribbon-cutting on Saturday at 614 S. Franklin Ave. in Somerset.

The boutique is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays. There are three employees.

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Reverie sells infant layettes, clothing for babies and children up to size 7-8, gift items and women’s health products. There’s also a coffee bar with a variety of beverages and baked goods to enjoy while shopping or waiting for an appointment at one of the small businesses located inside the building.

Somerset Women’s Health & Wellness, Huston’s midwife practice, is there, along with several other similar small businesses: Empowered You Holistic Wellness Services, 3Rivers Therapists, Sube Insurance, Tranquil Touch Massage Therapy and Wildflower Beauty Studio.

“I wanted to move into the retail space as just a fun thing for me,” Huston said about opening the boutique. “I felt this was a really good segue into that, (with) having my midwife practice on the side.

“There’s a lot of layette for infant babies, support for my pregnant moms, breastfeeding supplies and that sort of thing, and then some gift items.”

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Reverie has lots of unique clothing items for boys and girls from newborn to around age 8, including dresses, T-shirts, one- and two-piece outfits, rain coats, toys and plush items. Gift items for women include jewelry, candles, mugs and books.

“There’s something for everyone,” Huston said. “I know what I like, and I try to share those with everybody else.”

Guests can browse some of the store’s selection of items on Reverie’s Facebook page or call 814-228-6931 for more information. Huston said she also hopes customers offer their suggestions on items she could add to the inventory.

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Ron Aldom, who is a grandfather as well as the executive director of the Somerset County Chamber of Commerce, found a gift at the boutique that he’s sure his young granddaughter will enjoy.

“It’s a great shop,” he said. “It’s a must-go-to shop, whether you’re a parent or a grandparent.

“I am so excited to see entrepreneurs and small businesses grow. It’s a beautiful shop and it’s a nice addition to our county, to the shopping district. There’s been a definitive growth (locally) in small shops, and I think this fits that (category) very well.”

Regina Coughenour, executive director of Somerset, Inc., said Reverie offers a unique selection of items for many gift-giving occasions, including baby showers, birthday or Easter gifts.

“Everything is so thoughtfully done,” she said.

Reverie opened last June on a part-time basis, but now the business is moving “full steam ahead,” Huston said.

“I didn’t want to open too soon when we were still under the restrictions (for COVID-19),” she said. “So we took our time and carefully selected the product selection that’s in here – and now we’re really ready.”