Have you taken a stroll down Main Street in Zelienople lately? Change is everywhere. The sidewalks are new, the Kaufman House isn’t red anymore, that old bank is about to be a restaurant, and new businesses are clamoring to find space in our little town.
One of those exciting new businesses is Eva Bryn Shoetique.
Owner Kelly Carney spent time in Scotland while her husband was assigned there for work. While there, she had a friend, Karen Fletcher, who owned a shoe store which has provided a lot of the inspiration for Kelly’s, which just opened in early September.
“I was living in Scotland and my really good girlfriend there had a shoe store similar to this where she had shoes but also accessories like handbags, wraps, jewelry, scarves, things to accompany and create a whole look,” said Carney.
After moving back, Kelly decided that she wanted to open a similar store. Due to the mentoring from Fletcher in Scotland, the concept was already pretty much in place, but now she needed a location. A resident of north Cranberry just south of Zelienople, she had plenty of options. So why Zelie?
“(Fletcher) had her store in a village very similar to this where you could stop in one place and hit many different shops so I really wanted to be in a walking village. I wanted to be around other small businesses. I did look at a couple of other locations but there is a revitalization going on here. It’s a great town,” she said.
Named for Kelly’s daughters, Eva and Bryn, Eva Bryn Shoetique features a wide range of products and price points to accommodate a variety of styles and budgets, and getting that message out there has been a challenge early on due to reports referring to it as a “high end” shoe store.
“I’ve had several people say to me that they won’t shop at my store because the cheapest shoe is $500 without having ever come in,” according to Carney. “But I have slippers for $15! The bulk of my shoes are $59-$200. I have one line that is higher but not one shoe that is $500 for a pair.”
As she had mentioned earlier, Eva Bryn Shoetique also carries a full array of accessories including bags and gloves, wraps and vests, jewelry, and much more. Located just a couple of doors down from the historic Kaufman House, Kelly’s store should become a must-stop anytime you are visiting downtown Zelienople. To find out more, or for hours and contact information, visit www.evabrynshoetique.com.
Speaking of must-stops, check back with us next month for a feature on another of our newcomers, Curio!