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Ella's Boutique: Dream Come True For LEHS Alumnae
By: Liz Simon, Staff Writer
Around a crowed Sunday dinner table August 28, 2022, a dream was voiced aloud to twenty family members. “Let's go into business together.”
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Months later, on Nov. 1 at 2195 West Dekalb Street Suite 2, Ella's, a clothing boutique became a dream come true for LE graduates Rachel Watson Payette and Ashleigh Watson Rabon. The store is named for Rachel's daughter Ella, who is Eloise “Cooter” Gettys Watson’s great granddaughter.
Eloise was my mentor the first year I taught at LE. I enjoyed teaching her four girls Boo, Sara, Abby, and Lisa and her son Butch. Eloise and her husband Pete owned Green Hills Golf Course and the Dairy Barn.
Prior to opening Ella’s, Rachel owned her own hair salon in Columbia and Ashleigh had been a dental hygienist. During COVID Rachel became a stay-at-home mom and sold her salon. Ashleigh decided to stay home and help her husband with his family’s business when her first son was born.
The three sisters as young girls, along with their mother Lynda Stockman (Betty/ Wiley) Watson, began a tradition of shopping together. Ashleigh loved shoes. Rachel was partial to the latest trends. Christina shared their tops. Rachel always favored black colors while Ashleigh loved matching outfits and pastels.
When Ashleigh and Rachel decided to open Ella’s, they wanted to provide a niche for everyone from teenage girls to “little old ladies” like me. There is something for everyone in the shop from Cup hats, shoes, dresses with matching bow ties/long ties for your date to jump start your one stop shopping Cup outfit. Platform tennis shoes are in, frayed bottoms, as well as sparkling sequins. The in-fashion looks for spring and summer are two-piece matching outfits, little pleats, raw edges with no finished hem, and tailored looks are coming back for the fall.
Aunt Sarah Watson Oliver said, “I’m impressed with anyone who launches a new business. Ella’s has a variety of items, and the overall appearance is delightful. It’s beautiful place to shop plus Ashleigh, Rachel, and their staff
