The Wispy Pine Boutique was based on a dream and good fashion sense.
Right off W. Main St., The Wispy Pine is a hole in the wall retail shop.
Amanda Shields is the owner and founder of the boutique, which has been open for business since 2018. However, Shields has been pursuing her passion of empowering all women long before.
Shields had lived in Gas City her entire life and wanted to give back to the community.
“I had been a dental hygienist for 10 years at the time and started having back issues,” Shields said. “I wanted to supplement my income in order to work part-time and heal my body.”
To do this, she made a career transition from working in a dentist office to selling clothing. People from the community would come to the garage in her house and shop her selections — this was the humble beginnings of the treasured Wispy Pine boutique.
Before The Wispy Pine found its place on W. Main St., there was a beloved salon inhabiting the space. It had been a one-woman owned operation for nearly 50 years.
Sue Jacks sold the building to Shields in 2018 and the two decided to work together by keeping the salon as a part of the boutique in order to preserve the rich history the salon carried.
Just as the salon was a one-woman owned business, The Wispy Pine is as well. Its goal is to carry on the mission of empowering all women.
The name, however, came wholly from Shields’ inspiration.
“I am an avid outdoor girl and love trees,” Shields said. “The Wispy Pine name came to me in a dream, and I ran with it.”
She adopted this name almost as if the path was already paved ahead, just for her.
It’s not only in the name that Shields incorporates her passion for the outdoors, but also in the things she supplies in her store. Selling travel mugs alongside her fashionable clothing, she is able to share a piece of herself that customers can take home with them.
The Wispy Pine collaborates with local vendors and sources their merchandise from businesses in the surrounding area.
Shield emphasizes the importance of supporting other women entrepreneurs just as she was supported when she first started her journey. She also strives to include all women in the shopping experience at The Wispy Pine.
“We serve women sizes S–XXXL and have a variety of clothing for all ages,” Shields said. “We joke that a mother, grandmother and granddaughter could walk in and all find something they like.”
Due to the inclusivity of The Wispy Pine, business continues to grow on both social media and in-store.
Felecia Fannin, social media manager for The Wispy Pine, has been working with Shields for a bit of time now. The two carry out the vision of the business together.
The Wispy Pine continues to express their love for Gas City and everyone in it, through both action and words.
“Walking into The Wispy Pine was definitely a surprise,” sophomore Amelia Bostick said. “Most people wouldn’t expect there to be such a cute boutique so close to campus and I think a lot of Taylor students would really enjoy their clothing.”
Their stock isn’t only limited to clothing; they also supply a range of accessories and home goods.
If you want to support this local treasure, The Wispy Pine is hosting a women’s event on Nov. 13 from 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
These events happen a couple times per year, devoted to pampering and uniting women. At this event, they will have local jewelry and drink vendors, along with a certified Botox specialist.
Be sure to come out and support The Wispy Pine and follow them on their social media @wispypineboutique.
“We just want to continue operating locally and love on our community,” Shields said.
And she continues to do just that.
