SCOTIA — From sparkly cowgirl boots to T-shirts, jeans and even green Michael Kors purses, Lil Miss Priss Boutique is a statement of owner Stephanie Burns' love for fashion.
Burns had worked in the medical field for 32 years in both New York and Florida when her father became sick and she helped take care of him. His death in 2020 sparked her decision to retire from the medical industry and open her clothing store.
“I love clothes,” she said. “I was a supervisor for Ellis [Hospital] for operations so I always dressed up. It’s just something I love doing.”
Burns had also driven by the building at 207 Sacandaga Road numerous times, always wondering how much it would cost for the space until she finally decided to take the chance and rent one of the storefronts — Suite 104.
She got right down to business hanging sheetrock and painting. Her husband helped along the way with the ceilings and flooring, while her son designed the logo. She opened June 1, 2021.
Burns describes the clothing she offers in the store as bohemian style.
“I am like a version of Buckle in the mall but I am less expensive,” she said.
Burns also said she didn’t open her store because she wanted to get rich but rather because she has a passion for fashion.
“I try to stay reasonable because of the area I’m in,” she said.
The store offers a number of different brands.
She likes to offer people options they’ll feel comfortable in, including jeans from brands like Kancan and Miss Me.
The store features a variety from sweaters and jeans to dressier options for women. She also has cowgirl boots, which are her favorite item in the store and a reflection of her roots and love for the countryside. Burns currently lives on a 200-acre farm in Galway.
She said the boots are a top seller in the summer for country concerts in the area.
Burns said she also does special orders for dresses and sells Bella Bling sterling silver jewelry.
She picks the pieces she sells in her store based on what she likes and feedback she receives from others.
Once, she was at Carson’s Woodside Tavern and she said the waitress ended up coming to her store to shop because the waitress liked what Burns was wearing.
Operating the store doesn’t come without challenges though, primarily the lack of foot traffic, Burns said. She said many people don’t realize she’s in the area, but when new customers stop by she enjoys seeing them so happy to find something.
“I love when they come in and go, ‘Oh, you got some cool things,’” she said.
Moving forward, Burns said she will continue to do some monthly paint and sip classes to get people to come in. She will also be adding a class in February where people can brand their own cowboy hat or add a braided band to it.