For 75 years, Ellman’s Dance Boutique has been an establishment in Richmond’s dance group. Its third proprietor, Rosemary Liberto, says she is proud to proceed Ellman’s legacy of personalised service.
The Patterson Avenue boutique has its roots in a basic shoe retailer based in 1948 in Carytown by John and Ida Ellman. Based mostly on clients’ requests, dance footwear and attire have been later added to its stock. In 1980, the Ellmans retired and offered the enterprise to a good friend, Jo Anne Wade Draucker, who additional expanded the dance merchandise and moved the boutique to West Cary Avenue.
It was at this location that Liberto, then a highschool pupil, started working her first job on the retailer she had been visiting as a dancer since she was a bit woman. She continued working at Ellman’s throughout highschool and school, finally changing into retailer supervisor. She left to work within the health business however returned to Richmond in 2001 to renew her place at Ellman’s. In 2016, she purchased the shop from Draucker. Ellman’s moved and reopened in January 2022 at 8524 Patterson Ave. in Beverly Hills Procuring Middle.
Liberto’s favourite a part of the job is pointe shoe fittings, the place she seeks to make sure that every buyer is fitted correctly to stop accidents and enhance efficiency. Dedication to one-on-one consideration is what units Ellman’s Dance Boutique aside, Liberto says. “It takes a very long time to discover ways to match pointe footwear correctly, however it’s value it to see the satisfaction on a buyer’s face after they discover the right match.”
Ellman’s has launched e-commerce to its web site (ellmansdancewear.com), however “the in-person buyer expertise stays unchanged,” Liberto says. Clients obtain the personalised consideration Ellman’s is thought for even when they place an order on-line for pickup.
The boutique will mark its seventy fifth anniversary with promotions and gross sales for patrons. Liberto says she is creating plans for a celebration later this yr. “Ellman’s Dance Boutique is greater than only a retailer,” she says. “It’s a spot the place dancers can discover the right footwear and dance apparel whereas receiving personalised consideration from skilled professionals.”