Buffalo Rising Online

Oct 9th 2008, 12:01am By Emily Lenihan

A love for people, business, art and South Buffalo made "Chique Boutique" on Abbott Road Devon Donovan's destiny. "I worked for a company and had benefits, it was a great company and good money," but it wasn't enough for this South Buffalonian. After seeing a for-sale sign in the window of what is now her business, at 1069 Abbott Road, Donovan quit her job and opened "Chique Boutique," a store with purses, accessories, jewelery and home decor.

"I thought this was something the community was lacking," said Donovan. After shopping on Elmwood Avenue with her family while growing up, Donovan wanted to bring something like it to her neighborhood. "I'd love for little kids to come here with allowance money or to do Christmas shopping for unique items here, because the landscape of South Buffalo doesn't have anything like this."

Carrying Pure Integrity soy candles, City Love Clothing, Great Arrow greeting cards and much more, Donovan features 18 local artists. Donovan is also involved with the Work Affiliated Youth (WAY) program out of Baker Victory Service Center. Kids make earrings and other items to sell. "It's an after school program, they come in and drop off the stuff and are really excited about it. They can't believe their stuff is actually here, so its nice for me to see." Donovan also donates portions of the store's costume jewelry towards Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

Donovan doesn't make any of the store's items herself, but says when she has the time and resources it is her goal to start her own purse line. "I know what kind of purses people like to see," she added. She credits her artistic side to her mother, and her business sense to her father.

When people ask Donovan why she didn't open her store in an area like Elmwood, she credits the loyalty of her customers. "I'm starting to get to know my customers on a first name basis and their kids, it's hard not to know people because South Buffalo is such a tight knit community."

As the President of the South Buffalo Chamber of Commerce, Donovan has a loyalty to local businesses. "I have store parties and get the cheese spread from the Caz Coffee Shop and the bottle of wine from the local liquor store, I try to support local places," Donovan said.

Donovan is optimistic about the future of business in her area. "Things are changing and things are looking up. There is a bookstore now above the coffee shop called Dog Years," Donovan added. "A collaboration of us all together is a major asset to the community."

Chique Boutique
1069 Abbott Rd.
Buffalo, NY 14220
716.822.8802
www.chiqueboutique.net