Sisters start boutique

The Phoenix is an online clothing boutique based out of Waseca which was started in June by sisters Tannea and Tanika Johnson. The business offers two ways to shop. Items can be selected from the company’s Facebook page and then picked up from the sisters’ house. The second option is to wait for one of their “pop-up shops” held about once a month at various locations in town. Their most recent event was from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, August 6, in the space behind The Bar on Main. 

“Pop up shop is basically once a month. We rent a location and bring a selection of clothes–more product than we normally have,” explained Tannea. Since the company is so new, the sisters believe it is important for people to see the items in person and have the opportunity to try them on. The Phoenix’s offerings include a lot of plus-sized and affordable items. “We both love fashion,” said Tannea during the August “pop-up.” “I know I don’t like to spend a lot of money on things, so one of our goals is to keep things reasonably priced. Our most expensive item here is only $42.”

The sisters say they started The Phoenix because they both love to shop and wanted something affordable. This way too, they could make their own style and their own varieties of aesthetic, as they work to expand size ranges, styles, and the brand. 

The clothing they sell is acquired from wholesalers. One of their suppliers is a couple in Kansas who make the clothes themselves. Because the sisters love shopping, their business is almost a hobby for them. They describe their work as almost like shopping for other people. 

Both sisters have full-time jobs in addition to their boutique. Tannea works at Federated Insurance and Tanika bartends and helps out at The Mill.  The Phoenix is something they enjoy doing in their free time, and so they look forward to putting together more Saturday “pop-up” events.