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Date: 7/6/2022
EAST LONGMEADOW – When Justice Pellegrino opened her boutique, Bohdii, at 34 Center Sq. in November 2019, the shop was short on space. While the light-colored walls made it feel airy, there was a limit to the amount of clothing, shoes, accessories and home décor that Pellegrino could stock.
This spring, Pelegrino had an opportunity to expand the store, adding to the shop’s footprint and selection. The corner location had been occupied by TD Ameritrade, and when that business left the unit, Pellegrino negotiated an agreement with the plaza’s owners to expand into the neighboring storefront. The storefront went from about 900 square-feet to 1,500 square-feet.
Bohdii was closed for Juneteenth and the following three days for construction. The boutique reopened on June 23. Pellegrino explained that the former financial services shop was under construction in early June and the shop only needed to close while contractors removed the wall between the storefronts.
“Everybody’s reaction has been so great. They’ve been, like, ‘Whoa,’” Pellegrino said. The extra room allowed space for a multi-booth fitting room and a seating area, “So the guys have somewhere to sit,” she said. There is also more room between the display tables and stands, adding to the open feeling inside.
Pellegrino is taking advantage of the new space by expanding the lines she sells. “We carry a little bit of everything,” she said, adding that the store puts out about 10 new styles each week.
Business has been good, Pellegrino said. She has 22 employees between both locations, with six working in the East Longmeadow shop. The prime season for Bohdii is May through October, and Pellegrino opened a second location in South Boston in April of 2021. Bohdii also stages a lot of small business pop-ups, nearly once a week, which are listed on https://www.facebook.com/BohdiiBoutique.
Bohdii can be reached at 224-1672 and found online at https://www.bohdiiboutique.com, and on Instagram @bohdiiboutique. The boutique is open Monday through Saturday, from 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.