By Karen Parr-Moody
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – There’s something most women desire: A go-to shop that has perfectly pegged their style. CJ Boots – which offers much more than just boots – is that shop for fans of the feminine, flowing tops and dresses that say, “I’m chic, but never showy.”
Such boutiques are usually found in historic downtown districts or in hip malls in big cities. CJ Boots breaks the mold. It is located in an antique and decorating mall called Miss Lucille’s Marketplace at 2231-A Madison Street.
Miss Lucille’s has been a hotspot for stylish shoppers for several years now, so it’s not exactly a surprise that CJ Boots would land there. That said, the clothes that usually find their way to vintage and antique malls are at least 40 years old.
CJ Boots currently offers an array of cognac-colored boots with a stacked heel./Karen Parr-Moody
Meanwhile, CJ Boots is all modern. That is because owner Jacquelyn Gleaves, who began the business two years ago, brought it from the Dallas area, where stylish clothes abound. (Dallas is the home of Neiman Marcus, after all.)
When she arrived in Clarksville, Gleaves says, “There wasn’t a lot to choose from as far as clothes go.”
She wanted what she calls “trendier style at a good price,” so she started CJ Boots.
“The clothes are not super trendy to where they won’t be in style the next season – or even a year or two later,” Gleaves says. “They’re just comfortable, fashionable, affordable and in style. They’re on trend without being too trendy.”
The booth is a mother lode of tunics in all kinds of fabrics, from colorful patterns to solids. Some feature lace trims, another popular touch. Gleaves says sizes include small, medium, large, extra-large, 2 XL and 3XL, depending on what is in stock.
The clothes at CJ Boots come with reasonable price tags. The booth’s price range for all items is typically $45 to $60, with an exception for the more expensive winter coats./Karen Parr-Moody
For fall, the boutique is adding plaid shirts with a feminine cut – another modern trend. And there are skinny pants, scarves and jeggings – all fashion items that go oh-so-well with the blouses.
The store also features boots: There are knee-high boots and little booties, which go well with the overall fashions sold at CJ Boots.
Although winter coats may hit $120, Gleaves says, “We do try to offer competitive prices … you’re not going to walk in and find something at $75. The price range is about $45 to $60.”
And while the name of the store is CJ Boots, “boots” is actually a double entendre. Gleaves son’s name happens to be Boots. As for the “CJ,” it comes from her husband’s first name, Chuck, and her first name, Jacqueline.
CJ Boots at Miss Lucille’s Marketplace is open Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, call 931-896-1700 or visit the Miss Lucille’s website at www.misslucillesmarketplace.com. CJ Boots is on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CJBOOTSandCo.
Photos by Karen Parr-Moody
Karen Parr-Moody began a career as a New York journalist, working as a fashion reporter for Women’s Wear Daily, a beauty editor for Young Miss and a beauty and fashion writer for both In Style and People magazines. Regionally, she has been a writer at The Leaf-Chronicle newspaper and currently writes about arts and culture for Nashville Arts magazine each month.