Country Girl Boutique: New In Mount Carroll

By LYNNETTE FORTH | For The Prairie Advocate News

MOUNT CARROLL – If you haven’t shopped in the small town of Mount Carroll recently, you are in for a surprise. Over the past weeks, many new businesses have opened, or are planning to open, and local eating establishments have drawn large crowds to the area with local free musical talent.

Another new business will be opening its doors on Wednesday, October 17th. Mount Carroll native Shelly Tautz has been hard at work designing her new shop located at 18158 (B) Illinois Route 40 on the edge of town. Country Girl Boutique is a place where residents can purchase fun, rustic, country style items without having to go out of town.

“I have worked in retail and as a waitress over the years, and enjoyed it. I really like working with people. I have tossed around the idea of opening my own business a few times over the years, but the timing was never right,” Tautz said of the new venture.

The location is family owned, and recently became available for rent again, so Tautz “jumped in with both feet.” Having recently participated in Mount Carroll’s Brick Street Days for the first time, Tautz was amazed at the turn out by the community.

“The entire community came out. It seems like Mount Carroll is being put back on the map. I hope the community enjoys the store, and we can encourage residents to ‘shop at home.’ I want to stay true to myself, and represent who I am and what I love.”

The country lifestyle is nothing new for Shelly, currently living outside of Mount Carroll with her husband Karl and their family, along with many, many animals, including a pot bellied pig named Pearl.

Offering a large selection of items to choose from, customers are sure to find something reasonably priced and unique. Items for horses include breast collars, and head stalls, and horse gift bags, along with a variety of dog collars. Hoodies with the CGB logo, as well as jeans, jewelry, gift bags, country and primitive home décor, purses, wallets, candles, beautiful leather luggage, and belts can be found to suit just about any need.

“I have a little bit of everything. The jewelry is unique. Every girl needs a little bling in her life,” Tautz said with a chuckle.

For now, Tautz has consigned the products from a couple of local vendors who offer an array of items, and will be employing one part time sales associate for now, with the hopes of adding another later, adding “it’s important to offer jobs to people right now. I am happy to be doing something that I love, while hoping to establish a good business with the possibility of expanding one day.”

Customers can visit Country Girl Boutique on Wednesdays from 10a.m.-5 p.m., or Thursday-Saturday from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. A grand opening is tentatively being planned for the first weekend in November, so watch for details.