The Boutique Shop at 323 DeBaliviere is the result of a sewing industry program financed by the Neighborhood Youth Corps and sponsored by Skinker-DeBaliviere for 13 teenage girls.
The Shop offers clothes made by the girls at a low price. The cost includes the price for the material, pattern and the thread, no tax is involved. Ladies dresses, two-piece shorts sets, pants outfits, men’s dashikis (on order) and also school clothes for girls are available for sale.
The girls make the clothes in the basement of St. Roch’s and then transport them to the boutique shop. So far they have sold $75 worth of clothes. The girls are paid through NYC for their work.
“Not only do the girls get experience in operating a business (they keep all the books and take turns in selling the clothes in the boutique) – but they are learning skills which they can use later and developing initiative as individuals,” Mrs. Dorothy Garrett, community developer for Skinker-DeBaliviere, who is in charge of the project, explained.
Mrs. Annie Benson, neighborhood resident, is the sewing instructor for the project and supervises the production end of the program. When all the sewing machines are working, the girls produce 9 to 10 garments a day. Eventually they hope to be self-sustaining and continue the project into the school year.
Volunteers skilled in sewing are needed to help the girls. Also needed is a full-length mirror, and a rug for the boutique shop. If you want to volunteer your services or can donate furnishings for the shop call Mrs. Dorothy Garrett, 862-5122.
All the girls participating in the project are from the Skinker-DeBaliviere neighborhood. They are Valerie Carter, Gwendolyn Haynes, Hullerstein Brooks, Cynthia Bibbs, Mary Coleman, Pat Hajnis, Marshal Smilligan, Sharon Bickley, Paula Penson, Pauletta Coleman and Diana Brooks.
Original photograph caption
Mary Coleman models a slack and tunic outfit made by the young women for sale in The Boutique Shop, recently opened at 323 DeBaliviere.
Originally published in The Paper, August 1970.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1970_08.pdf, printed page(s) 1.
Original photograph, PDF page 1: Bob Moore.
