Here's what makes this new clothing store at West Ridge Mall different

Topeka gained another option for local fashion consumers last month.

Located on the upper level of West Ridge Mall south of Zumiez, T & K Clothing carries inclusive boutique apparel for men and women, sizes small to 3XL, as well as jewelry, accessories and shoes.

Owner Tonya Brown opened the business with her daughter, Kayla Brown, who manages the store.

“We like to be fashionable and wear trendy clothing, and we wanted to let other people have some options here in town,” said Tonya Brown. “People have gotten so used to wearing sweatshirts and T-shirts, and this is a way for them to feel good about themselves and be able to change it up once in a while.”

T & K Clothing's boutique approach offers unique styles

She said boutique shops help consumers explore different styles beyond the mass-produced clothing sold at large chain stores.

While many people don’t understand boutique clothing and associate the term “boutique” with expensive, Brown said the merchandise at T & K is for the everyday person, with shirts ranging from $10-$40.

“Boutique doesn’t have to mean expensive," she said. "Boutique clothes are fun, trendy and can be for everyday wear or for special occasions. We wanted to bring a sense of fashion to Topeka, and a place for everybody to come out and shop by focusing on all sizes.”

Before entering the world of retail, the Browns worked in health care, with Kayla Brown only recently completing a degree as a registered nurse.

“COVID did it for me. I wanted a change, something fun,” said Tonya Brown. “It’s a good opportunity for both of us to work together.”

Mother-and-daughter team was eager to open at West Ridge Mall

Neither woman had previously held a job in the fashion industry, but Brown said visiting trade shows has helped them learn the business and choose merchandise to sell in the store.

“We go to the trade shows, and they have all the different vendor booths,” she said. “It’s been hard because I was always told not to think about it too much. I have to put aside what I like and think about what others might buy. In between markets, we do our buying online.”

The mother-and-daughter team said they chose West Ridge Mall for their business location due to changes to the property, including new ownership and the future addition of Advisor’s Excel office space. They feel both will increase visibility and traffic for T & K Clothing over time.

More: Here's how West Ridge Mall has changed 5 months after being purchased by Topeka developers

“Our first month we did pretty well,” said Brown. “The weekends are busy. We knew it was going to be the perfect location due to the new ownership, and we wanted to be part of helping the mall come back by bringing new stores and retail shops to Topeka.

"I know good things are happening, and it’s just going to get better from here.”

What are the operating hours for T & K Clothing?

T & K Clothing had a soft opening on March 1 and a grand opening March 7.

Now that they’re settled, Tonya said they will be offering some upcoming events for customers, including a benefit for Helping Hands Humane Society on Saturday with 10% of sales that day going to the shelter to help with the care and upkeep of homeless animals in Topeka.

Customers can also look forward to a Sip & Shop event on from 4-7 p.m. May 10, with complimentary drinks and wine while they browse. T & K Clothing is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Boutique apparel shop T & K Clothing opens in Topeka's West Ridge Mall