WASHINGTONVILLE, Ohio – With a population of just over 700 people, Washingtonville may not sound like a fashion shopping destination. But Tracy Homan’s customers are willing to travel to the village for something unique.
Impressions By Tracy draws customers from across Columbiana and Mahoning counties, as well as Canton and Pennsylvania.
Ladies drive a little distance to check out the fun clothes, purses and accessories in Homan’s store. Located on state Route 14, between Columbiana and Salem, Homan said the store is located on the way to many places.
“Everybody says, ‘Where are you at? You’re a diamond in the rough,’ but it’s a great state route to be on,” Homan said, explaining she has customers from Poland, Canfield, East Liverpool and Salineville. “From Austintown, you just jump on [state Route] 11. It’s pretty much central for everybody.”
This week, Homan is celebrating 30 years of providing affordable fashion. The anniversary celebration includes sales, promotional drawings and refreshments, as well as extended hours to shop – 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.
Walking into the boutique is a little bit of a celebration already. The clothes come from New York and Los Angeles, as well as a line Homan is currently carrying from Italy. Her store offers items not usually found in the area, garments that are interesting and different. Homan takes pride in displaying the clothes in matching sections and pairing them all with accessories. While not expensive, the jewelry pieces are unique.
Deb Heverly, a lifelong friend who sometimes helps out in the store, touted the comfort of pants she was wearing with the look of jeans and fancy touch of rhinestones down the leg.
“You have fancy ones and plain ones,” Heverly said. “People come in and say they want to try on this shirt, and [Homan] matches it with a necklace and pants, and they walk out of here with a whole, set outfit.”
Homan started the business when she was 21, first at a smaller location across the street next to the post office before moving into the current location at 320 E. Main St.
Homan’s parents were entrepreneurs as well. Her mother, Rosemary Volpe, still does hair one day a week at Rosemary’s Beauty Salon, which has been in business for about 50 years. Homan’s father, Dave Volpe, was a barber there as well before he died. Homan grew up around the beauty shop and knew she wanted to open her own business, but she decided clothes were more her style. Her parents eventually added onto the brick building that houses the beauty shop to give Homan room for her clothing shop.
Homan took some business classes at Kent State University but decided the money would be better spent opening her boutique. Her grandmother had concerns about whether such a shop would succeed in a small village like Washingtonville, but she “just kept going.”
As styles have evolved, so, too, have the items Homan has offered.
“Years ago, when I first opened, I did a lot of dresses and some prom dresses, but things have changed,” Homan said. “People are more casual now, and it has even changed since Covid. They have gotten very casual. No one dresses up anymore.”
Instead, her store features more fun tops, blue jeans, sweaters, lightweight fall coats and, occasionally, dresses. She carries jean brands such as Judy Blue, Risen, KanCan and Royalty, in sizes up to 3X.
Homan makes sure customers, who range in age from 30 to 80, get special attention when they make an effort to travel to her store. Customers follow the store’s Facebook and Instagram pages to see the latest items that have arrived. And she strives to keep the clothes moderately priced, knowing many customers are on a tight budget.
Homan has stayed open later or opened early when a customer is struggling to get to the store because of work, or when a group of women want to come in for a fun morning of fashion.
After the 30th anniversary celebration this week, Homan has more in store for the holiday season. A Christmas open house will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Nov. 22-23 and Nov. 29-30.
Pictured at top: Tracy Homan holds one of the shirts that is offered in her store.
Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
