Jill Gallagher

Family and fashion make every day a special occasion

Ashley M. Casey

Joyce Seubert always insisted on saving her most precious pieces of jewelry for a special occasion. As an organist for St. John the Evangelist Church in Camden, Joyce had more than 1,000 such occasions — weddings, funerals and ecumenical services — to bring out her best.

“She had some beautiful pieces of jewelry that my father and my uncle and my brother gave her,” recalled her daughter, Jill Gallagher. But after Joyce was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2013, it became clear to the family that each day with Joyce was a special occasion. They encouraged her to enjoy her jewelry, so she would pair her dazzling accessories with pajamas and a bathrobe around the house.

Gallagher and her mom bonded over their love of fashion and a shared dream.

“The two of us always wanted to open a boutique together,” Gallagher said.

While Joyce would not be physically present for that dream to come to fruition — she passed away June 28, 2018 — she has been there in spirit as her daughter has built Boutique Joycé in the village of Manlius.

“Her friends will carpool and come visit me at the store,” Gallagher said. “They love to look through the store and say, ‘Oh, your mother would have loved this.’”

A business teacher by day, Gallagher opened Boutique Joycé in early 2020, just weeks before the COVID-19 pandemic descended. With rent due and vendors to pay, Gallagher was understandably nervous.

“It was a scary time, but our community was so supportive. We made it through,” said Gallagher.

The boutique survived — and thrived — during the pandemic thanks to Gallagher’s social media savvy and the strong support system that is her family: her son, Jack, a student at FayettevilleManlius High School; her husband Brian, a school administrator; and her brother David, who often pitches in at the store on weekends.

“I’ll be here a lot in the evenings and my husband takes care of dinner,” she said.

The greater Manlius business community has helped the boutique blossom as well. For starters, Gallagher said, she is surrounded in the Tops Plaza by businesses owned by women or geared toward women’s interests, such as Dazzle, Cork Monkey and SkyTop Coffee.

“It’s a very women-driven plaza,” she said.

Gallagher has made connections outside her immediate neighbors as well.

“If I don’t have something, perhaps I'll send them to The Station [603],” she said. “We point customers in the direction of each other’s stores.”

Boutique Joycé offers women’s and men’s apparel, accessories and other items such as candles and body care products.

When it came to selecting products, Gallagher first sought out brands she and her mother favored.

“She was just so chic and sophisticated,” Gallagher said of her mom. “She was a musician as well, so that came through with her creativity.”

Joyce served as St. John’s organist for more than 50 years. In 2011, Joyce received an Immaculata Award from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse in recognition of her years of service. “Never be afraid to try new things. It’s what you like, not what everybody else likes. Everyone is an individual,” Gallagher said of the style lessons her mother passed on to her. Gallagher has inherited Joyce’s love of accessories, evidenced by the collection of gold, silver and black bangles on her wrists and a statement ring with a vibrant palette. Accessories can transform a few basic wardrobe items into several outfits. That versatility is important to Gallagher as a busy teacher, mom and entrepreneur. “Going from being a teacher to working in the store several days a week, I try to wear something that is versatile, business casual, but also on

trend,” she said. After more than two years of working from home, shoppers are anxious to refresh their work wardrobes for their return to the office, Gallagher said.

“I think people were sick of being in sweatpants and no makeup for a while, so they’re ready to get back at it,” she said.

Gallagher strives to attract shoppers of all ages. Fashion bridged the generational gap between her and her mother, after all.

As for what’s next for Boutique Joycé, Gallagher said she is hoping to amp up the shop’s online presence. Once she and Brian retire from the education world, they would like to open a second boutique in Florida, where they have a second home.

What would Joyce think of the boutique that bears her name?

“She’d be elated,” Gallagher said. “Every time I’m here, I know my mother’s here with me.” SWM

Boutique Joycé is located at 119 W. Seneca St. in the Tops Plaza in the village of Manlius. For more information, visit boutiquejoyce.com or facebook.com/ BoutiqueJoyceManlius or call 315-692-2122. Follow @boutique_joyce_manlius on Instagram.