ROCKY RIVER, Ohio -- Tucked between Simply Kitchens and Baths and Wild Flour Bakery, at 20145 Lake Road, is a distinctive shop offering one-of-a-kind gifts for any occasion.
Tart Boutique is celebrating its 10th anniversary on Saturday (April 12), featuring local vendors including Spring Portraits by Angela Oster, a pop-up coffee bar by Zeal Coffee, macarons by Un Amour Patisserie, a build-your-own floral bouquet with Flora by DreRose and henna artist Sneha.
And if you have an eye for art and design, no one would blame you if you just wanted to stroll through the space and take in its charm.
The boutique reflects owner Valerie Priebe’s distinct taste and appeal for curated and independent items.
Priebe has created a shop that she loves as much as she hopes you will.
“The shop is an absolute reflection of me. I have curated the entire shop and have filled it with items that I genuinely love, items that I would buy for myself,” Priebe said.
“This shop is my greatest expression of art.”
This is self-evident as you approach the shop and are met by the resplendent window displays.
“When customers walk through the door I want them to feel that they’re in a really fun, really colorful space,” she said.
“Tart is a place where you can always find a unique gift or something special for yourself.”
From first-time visitors to regulars, everyone feels welcome at Tart Boutique.
Priebe has been running the shop since she bought it in 2021, after working with the previous owner, Beth Hess, for almost as many years.
“When I took over Tart, it was still primarily a consignment shop. And I spent the first year gradually moving away from consignment and transitioning to a curated boutique with a variety of items, from jewelry and apparel to home goods, beauty and more.”
“I think the community has come to know Tart Boutique as a place where they can find something locally made,” Priebe said.
“I have a handful of local vendors, and each is highlighted with their company name and city that they produce out of.
“I also work closely with the vendors and I’m able to get custom items when requested by customers.”
With a vintage feel and a flair for modern charm, Tart delights your eyes with rose quartz pink arrangements nestled near harvest golds and icy blues tempered by warm accents.
Large displays exhibit glassware by Sweet E. Dreams; handmade soaps, lotions and lip balms by Barr’s Bars; Furbish & Fire Candles; prints by Evergreen Design Co.; handmade silkscreen prints on cotton tea towels by Beth Hess; and illustrations and stickers by local artist Angela Oster.
You can also find milk baths and cleansing kits from Candra Squire of Salty not Sweet in Lakewood.
“After I took over Tart and as I was making it my own, I would overhear customers talk about how ‘cute’ everything was and compliment its ‘cuteness,‘” Priebe said.
“Over the years, I’ve nicknamed it ‘Cute Shop.‘”
“I even commissioned a giant neon sign reading ‘Cute Shop’ in addition to staking claim to the ‘Self-Appointed Cutest Shop in Cleveland’ award, as my sandwich board reads before you walk in.”
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