Amber Ford and Andrea Githaka are bringing fashion and good vibes to Monroe.
The sisters own and operate Coco + Honey, a women’s clothing store at the Mall of Monroe with help from Amber’s daughter, Veannity Anderson.
On Jan. 24, they celebrated the shop’s grand opening. Hours of operation are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
Decorated in a black and white color scheme, the clothing boutique offers a variety of women’s clothing, like casual attire to comfy, cozy loungewear.
“Our camo sets have been our most popular item,” Githaka said. “We get so many compliments on how soft they are. We also have a casual side with more skirts and we have premium denim as well.”
Girls’ clothing options are also available.
Both women worked as nurses before stepping away from their careers to open the store and say opening a shop that focuses on stylish apparel and promotes positivity for all ages has been their dream.
They quit their jobs because the felt like God had a bigger plan for them. They went to L.A. in June to get inspired.
The women use social media like Facebook to advertise and their website features Coco + Honey merchandise not sold in store.
“If anybody wants to wear our logo on a hoodie or a T-shirt, it’s there and we have tumblers and mugs,” Githaka said. “Right now, it is just our brand.”
“We are lead with God and love,” Amber Ford said. “Coco + Honey is a women’s and girls’ boutique. It’s rooted in confidence, connection and community. We wanted to create a space where women and girls will feel seen and empowered. This is something we truly built from the heart.”
As their business grows, so will the inventory.
“The vision is we don’t want to overstock. We want to keep bringing in fresh, new stuff,” Ford said. “Ideally, the plan for us is to have a new drop once a month.”
New inventory and sales will be posted on the store’s Facebook page.
The duo is currently working with a local designer to create a brand they can take to another level.
Since opening last month, Ford said the response they have received from the community has been overwhelming.
“We want women to walk in, and when they leave, feel elevated,” she said. “People are coming back just to see us and have a conversation and that’s what we wanted. It feels good to the heart and soul.”
— Contact reporter Lisa Vidaurri-Bowling at lvidaurribowling@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Sisters open Coco + Honey, a new clothing boutique rooted in confidence
Reporting by Lisa Vidaurri Bowling, The Monroe News / The Monroe News
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