Studio 50-4: Downtown Emporia Boutique has Something for Every Woman

Something for Every Woman

From women’s clothing to accessories, gifts, and even do-it-yourself project supplies, you’ll find it at Studio 50-4, a women’s fashion boutique located at 504 Commercial St. in downtown Emporia. “We try to have things that will appeal across the board,” said Merry Whitham, Studio 50-4 owner. “We have things that fit every size from curvy to extra small.”

Whitham said she recently had a young woman around 12 years old find an outfit for the Lyon County Fair and have had women in their 90s find outfits and everyone in between. Whitham also just added a “Little Ladies” section for younger girls. “If somebody wants a certain something, and they can’t find it, I will try and help them find it,” Whitham said.

Whitham, who purchased the shop in May, has also added a line of paints for do-it-yourself projects. She plans on offering classes in November in the evenings teaching people how to wax or refinish items. She plans on adding more stocking stuffer items for the holidays.

“We also have gift items and we’re going to be expanding that,” she said. “It’s all about providing a service for Emporia that they need and hopefully will appreciate. It’s so fun. I really feel like we’re helping people and making them happy.”

Whitham prides herself in keeping up the tradition from the previous owner’s pledge of keeping prices in the shop reasonable. It’s so important it’s even in the store’s slogan. “We don’t have traditional boutique prices,” she said. “We have boutique selection without the boutique prices.”

From Oklahoma to Emporia

Whitham re-located from Oklahoma to Emporia to be near her daughters and grandchildren. “I have two daughters and four grandchildren, and I wanted to be a part of their life rather than come visit,” she said. Whitham and her husband had been wanting to move to Emporia as more grandchildren arrived. They searched for a building to purchase downtown and things fell in place. Whitham said the former Studio 50-4 owner also wanted to be near her family, which resonated with her. “It totally motivated me, and the doors just opened,” she said. “We felt like this is where we needed to be.”

Shop Local. Support Dreams

When you shop at local businesses like Studio 50-4, you support dreams and you support futures. Whitham’s granddaughter, 4-year-old Piper, plans on running the store someday. “She plans on this being her shop someday and it will be if Emporia continues to support the store,” Whitham said. “So, that’s a local person who will stay local who will pass the store down. That’s what you need to make your city thrive.”

Small Business Saturday

Small Business Saturday, the Saturday after Thanksgiving, is right around the corner. While you’re starting your holiday shopping, shop small at places like Studio 50-4. Whitham stressed the importance of supporting small businesses. “If you take building blocks and you start taking out those blocks, eventually the top is going to fall and it’s all going to collapse,” she said. “I think small businesses are the base of that building. It’s somebody’s mother, somebody’s daughter, somebody’s father. Those are also people who are going to bring their families into the area and who shop the restaurants.”

Visit Studio 50-4
504 Commercial St.
Emporia, Kansas 66801
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Phone: (580) 628-1838
Hours: 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Tuesday-Saturday