Aug. 10, 2022

Locally owned boutique Layered Elements is moving to a central downtown location as it adjusts its merchandise mix.

Taryn Raade founded the store at The Cascade at Phillips Avenue and Second Street in early 2020 with her mother, Heather Herlyn.

It originally was focused on furniture and home decor, but the pandemic caused a problem with securing enough inventory.

“We started adding in clothes, and that went really well,” Raade said. “So no more furniture. It’s so hard to buy all the pieces and then sell it all at once and wait months for it to come in, and clothes have been doing a lot better. We have a little different style than I think anybody in the area, especially downtown.”

The new approach also means she doesn’t need as much space. So the boutique is moving south to the former Twisted Sisters Sweetz space at 317 S. Phillips Ave.

The boutique’s styles are “very neutral, very casual everyday wear, very affordable,” Raade said. “We carry different brands than anybody in our ZIP code; we’re very particular about that to make sure we have different options. And my mom is still buying with me, so we have the 20-year age gap, and we make sure we have stuff for everybody.”

The new store will focus on adding plus-size merchandise, which is unique for a downtown boutique, she said.

It also will offer accessories and small gift and home decor items.

“Our jewelry does really well, Raade said. “My friend locally makes our earrings, which are by far our bestseller.”

The last day at The Cascade is Saturday, and the plan is to open in the new location Aug. 19.

Hours are being finalized, but the plan is to start with 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday.