A Freeport woman said she wasn’t going to let the covid-19 pandemic stand in the way of her dream to open her own store.

Nicole Saville plans to open the Emma + Jane Shoppe, a boutique on South Pike Road in Buffalo Township, on Saturday.

“I had always wanted to open something,” Saville said. “I’ve always supported small business.”

Saville said she loves decorating and used to run a home decor blog. She said friends would visit her house and then ask her for help decorating their homes.

“It bloomed from a love of decorating,” she said.

The store, Saville said, will be something unique for the area.

“There’s not really any small boutiques around anymore,” she said.

By launching Emma + Jane Shoppe, Saville is not only creating her own small business, she’s continuing to support other local businesses. The store is stocked with merchandise from 15 local small businesses, including Steel City Salt, CeCe Custom Design, Popped Envy and Keystone Steel. The shop is carrying clothing from Magnolia on Main, a local traveling boutique.

“A lot of stuff in here — about half of it — is locally made,” Saville said. “I definitely hope people go after the local stuff.”

The shop offers an array of products, ranging from candles and clothing to coffee and earrings. Saville said she mixed her style — which she called “farmhouse” — with others to ensure there would be something for everyone.

“If you want to find a unique, thoughtful gift, I hope you can find it here,” Saville said.

Emma + Jane Shoppe is also feeling festive, with Christmas displays featuring holiday decor, plates and mugs.

Saville said she hopes the boutique will be more than just a store. She said she wants it to be part of the community. She has a workshop space prepared, where she hopes to host events such as wreath-making classes. Beginning next week, she’ll be teaming up with a local Girl Scout troop to host a food drive.

“I think this brings the community together,” Saville said. “I want to use this space for good.”

While Saville has high hopes for the shop, she admitted opening a new business in the midst of a pandemic has been scary. Her opening plans include matching masks for employees and a limit on the number of people inside at one time.

But chasing her dreams despite difficult circumstances was the perfect way to serve as an inspiration for others, said Saville, a mother of two daughters.

“I want to show my girls strength,” she said. “I want to show the small business community hope.”

Saville’s older daughter, eight-year-old Giuliana, was even involved in preparing for the store’s opening. She had the idea of creating a kids’ room where the children could enjoy themselves while their parents shop. Giuliana even picked a quote to display on the wall: “In a world where you can be anything… be kind.”

The kids’ room features children’s clothing from another local business, Alex et Estelle.

The boutique shop’s grand opening Saturday will include a small ribbon-cutting ceremony at 9:30 a.m. The store will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the first 25 visitors will receive a gift bag.

Several vendors, including Root and Bloom Flowers, will be selling wreaths. Saville plans to have food trucks, including Galaxy Donuts.

Because of the pandemic, Saville said only 1o customers will be permitted in the store at a time and masking and social distancing will be in place.

After the opening weekend, Saville will be offering private shopping times for anyone who feels uncomfortable shopping around others. People can call the store to schedule a private shopping time.

For more information, visit the Emma + Jane Shoppe’s Facebook or Instagram pages. Saville said the store’s website will be updated in time for Black Friday and Small Business Saturday.

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