Brit Marie’s Owner/Founder Brittany Tow said she plans to offer even more selection in the new building.

“This will allow me to double, if not triple, the amount of women’s inventory I have as well as bring in that amount of men’s clothing,” she said. “We’re getting out of décor, and going to focus strictly on the clothing like when we started. I rebranded the name because a lot of people think I’m a western store. It’s not. I’m a country girl.”

The new spot, which is the former Staging 2 Sell It, was the perfect place to move, Tow says, having rented space from Hellberg’s Jewelers.

“It’s at the corner of Center and Main — quite visible and the windows are big. It gives me more space to be seen,” she added. “I was looking at a couple of locations, and this one just made sense for me.”

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO — Tow, second from left, was recently recognized for her leadership during the Main Street Iowa Awards in Des Moines. Also pictured are Main Street Iowa State Coordinator Michael Wagler, MCBD Executive Director Deb Millizer and Iowa Economic Development Authority Director Debi Durham.

Tow launched her business in 2018, doing vendor shows on the weekends from her mobile trailer.

“I got rid of that last July to focus on the store,” she said.

Tow is a champion of downtown economic growth. She serves as the Retail Promotions Chair for the Marshalltown Central Business District. She was recently recognized with a Main Street Iowa Leadership Award.

“Brittany has been such a blessing on the MCBD board as she brings to us a voice of downtown businesses. Every project she has led has been the result of her networking with other businesses,” MCBD Executive Director Deb Millizer said. “Brit Marie’s & Co’s newest location is strategically positioned for Brittany’s boutique’s continued growth. Over the past five years, Brit Marie’s has been a sought-after shopping destination. With the addition of her new location and its highly visible windows, it now has even greater potential for expansion. We are excited about this fresh opportunity for our community and for Brit Marie’s business.”

Tow also participated in the Kansas Leadership Center pilot program in Marshalltown.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO With Brit Marie’s moving to a new location at 1 W. Main St., mother-daughter duo Lonnie Ethington and Emily DeMonte, the team behind Nina’s Attic will be doubling their space at 13 W. Main St. by opening up in Suite 104 in addition to Suite 102.

“It’s about fostering entrepreneurs within your town,” Tow said. “We looked at different ways we could help people wanting to start their own businesses and know everybody’s road to owning a business is different.”

Tow said that in addition to expanding her retail offering, her store will feature the newly created “Trendy Cove.”

It will be a space where people wanting to launch a storefront, but haven’t done so yet, can sell items for a set period of time.

“I’m looking to help out those small businesses and have a small space to allow for one to two pop-up businesses to set up during events or weekends. Definitely thinking trendy, new, yummy, pretty, all the things,” she said. “There aren’t many storefront options readily available right now.”

Brit Marie’s will be open Tuesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The business can be reached at: 641-485-6303 and britmaries2018@gmail.com. To shop online, visit britmaries.com or britmariescountryboutique.com.

Tow’s move means Nina’s Attic will have the opportunity to expand and take over the vacated space. The business is run by mother-daughter duo Lonnie Ethington and Emily DeMonte. Prior to opening up in Suite 104, the pair mostly did craft shows and ran the business from their homes. From 2020-22, they were set up at Ambellish. Teaming up was the result of DeMonte seeking a “little something” after leaving teaching in 2017 to become a stay-at-home parent.

DeMonte describes Nina’s Attic as a women’s boutique, specializing in clothing, hair accessories, handmade jewelry and custom apparel.

“Nina is the name my oldest daughter gave my mother instead of grandma, and it stuck,” DeMonte said.

Currently in the process of renovating the space, Nina’s Attic (Suite 102) will have a grand reopening mid-May. New styles and sizes will be added.

With that brings a new feature: a children’s consignment store called Gigi + Beans (suite 104).

“Gigi and Beans are the nicknames of my middle two kids,” she said.

Clothing sizes newborn to ages 10-12 years old will be offered, for boys and girls.

“We will start taking consignments in early May, seasonally, and open in June,” she said. “The idea came out of motherhood. I have four kids. Our town doesn’t really have anywhere to shop for children. You shouldn’t have to travel outside of Marshalltown.”

Clothing that doesn’t sell will be donated to CAPS. Hours of operation are still being finalized, but will expand from its current offering. For updates, visit: www.facebook.com/ninasttic and ninasatticboutique.com. DeMonte can be reached at: ninasatticboutique@gmail.com.