(page 44) JULY 2015
THE SCOOP
MOBILE BOUTIQUES Clothing stores are coming to you this summer in Rapid City. Taking a cue from the meteoric rise of food truck culture, local business owners are converting RV’s into mobile boutiques and parking at summer events. Krista Price owns Boho Betty, a store in the Fairmont Creamery Building selling new, vintage, and altered clothing, in addition to products by South Dakota artisans. The brick-and-mortar store is just a month old, however, having started inside its namesake – a bohemian rocker chic haven of an RV called Been Loved Mobile Boutique.
already established in the local upcycled apparel world when she decided to overhaul a camper, ripping out everything and installing girly wallpaper, light-up shelves, and a dressing area. Like Price, she sources her inventory from stores and markets all over the country. And although there is no specific style she sells, Labeau’s customers know that if they’re seeking a unique piece, she likely has something for them.
“I’d seen these around in Southern California and thought South Dakota was ready for this,” she said. “And it wasn’t going to put me in $100,000 of debt trying to build my own store, building the inventory and the signage and all that. My husband and I had Betty – that’s my mobile boutique’s name – and I asked him if we could renovate this and start a store. He was all for it.”
“They can find anything from contemporary vintage, unique items, upcycled,” said Labeau, who lists Sheryl Crow among her style icons. “We do a lot of upcycled denim. We take things and make them different, make them new again. Handmade jewelry. Jewelry boxes, handbags, unique belts and purses, hats, boots, Converse, we even have some combat boots. Anything that’s fun, trendy or different.”
And the customers responded. After months of gathering inventory from vintage and thrift stores all over the country, Price nearly sold out at her first event.
And although Labeau and Price are running similar businesses in the same city, the pair of fashionistas don’t consider themselves to be in competition. Often, the two mobile boutiques can be found parked side-by-side or caravanning to events. In fact, Price says Labeau gave her important advice when she was getting started.
“I think I had 15 pieces of clothing left,” she said, laughing. Price isn’t alone in the Rapid City mobile boutique scene. Elan Labeau, owner of Elan’s Vintage Boutique, was