Darbe & Co. Boutique

This November, we are spotlighting Darbe & Co. Boutique as our Business of the Month! This local Business opened its doors on February 16, 2013 and is located in Charles City, Iowa. We were able to talk to the owner, Deb McNeilus to find out a little bit more about her business and share it with our visitors.

1.  When did your business open? My husband (Jim), Joan Semelhack & I had been remodeling, painting & decoration since Nov 12, 2012. I was so nervous about opening, major procrastination was my mission! One day Jim & Joan said “It’s time… we open next weekend!” February 16th we did just that!
2.  What led you to starting your business? Is there a good story behind how it happened? Not a “good” story… I worked for 12 years with Brian Crane at Growth Properties LLC at 206 N Main St. Main Street was my 2nd home. Brian passed away in 2011 & the business was sold in the spring of 2012. No-one wanted me to leave Main Street so I began the search for a building. Karen Eggert & her mother (by way of a secret Santa) said they would sell me this building because Main Street needed more retail. The Darbe & Co. Boutique just evolved… From the very first phone call & meeting I felt “led” through this whole process. Even when I wanted to back out & give up, the Good Lord made me keep going. It must have been what I was meant to do in my “golden years” as I love it here. It’s my second home.
3.  What does your business offer? We offer something for everyone! Darbe offers fashion for women & children, shoes, accessories, gifts, WINE & so much more! Every Season brings something new when shopping in Chicago & Minneapolis. We try to offer big city style & personal comforts at accessible prices. We like to think we are a local destination & national trade secret for women seeking high value style. We offer hometown personal service, tasteful, sophisticated class, with a fun attitude! Shawn, our display professional, does a fabulous job on windows & inside displays. So many people tell us they keep coming back to see our displays & décor! Oh, of course they come back to see all of us! Georgie, Shawn & Carol are all friendly & professional *MORE BELOW
4. Why do you enjoy serving Charles City, IA? Our CUSTOMERS of course!! We love the community & NE Iowa! Our main focus is to offer style-conscious women full-circle beauty from morning to evening with a splash of energy & fun! We laugh together, we cry together & give lots of hugs. Like the mission above our front counter. Within these walls… we live… we laugh… we love… Our customers come from the community, the state & other states. We always get the same “Thank you & what a fun store you have!”

Text DARBE to 36000 & confirm with a “Y” …Bring in your cell phone to show us & get $5.00 off your order!! *Darbe has also expanded & now offers an exclusive line of clothes “one” week out of every Season. Watch our Facebook site for dates!