Why Small Businesses Matter
Shop small, do big things for your community
Why Small Businesses Matter puts a spotlight on the local merchants who donate their time, talent, goods, and services for the betterment of our community. The shop local movement spreads virally as local businesses who are “tagged” have the opportunity to share their story!
Meet Elizabeth Murray Ellis, founder of Elegant Ridgefield.
Why did you start your business?
Three of my children were married in thirteen months, and I had suddenly entered the world of ‘mother of,’ rehearsal dinners, bridal showers, and the need for dresses! Dresses that fit just right for both me and the occasion’s venue, and so in early October I opened Elegant Ridgefield, a store to cater to special occasion women’s dressing: dresses, shoes, scarves, and handbags. And large size men’s and women’s dress shoes (because men’s size 14s and women’s 11s are impossible to find).
Best selling products?
Hand’s down it’s dresses. When we help to dress a woman and she looks and feels both beautiful and comfortable, well, that what makes our job so satisfying and rewarding.
How many small businesses do you use (or have you used) to support Elegant Ridgefield?
Oh, gosh. We took a 1960s brick building and gave her “the works.” Gerety Building and Restoration, D.A.B. Landscape Design, Carroll Construction Corp, Colby’s of Ridgefield, Frank Clark Electric, on and on. HamletHub and 068 Magazine. Ink Fine Stationers, Elizabella’s Bake Shop, Flower Girl . . . .
The best part has been the Community’s reception. Business has exceeded our wildest expectations with the support of a superb staff, a no pressure shopping experience, and welcoming 2s to 22s to feel comfortable and look Elegant! Women love the styles, the layout, the dressing rooms . . . and men! We had more men come in on the Saturday before Christmas than the entire time we’d been open, and they all commented on the building’s new aesthetics. Women love the dresses, and guys the trusses.
Elegant Ridgefield is located at 92 Grove Street in Ridgefield. Visit the store online https://elegantridgefield.com/ and on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/elegantridgefieldct/ and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ElegantRidgefield
HamletHub thanks Fairfield County Bank for making our Why Small Businesses Matter series possible!