Boutique at new location

Annie McCauley outgrew the travel trailer she used for her Blanco Creek Boutiques clothing and jewelry business. So she recently opened a less mobile but roomier location in downtown Tucumcari.

Blanco Creek Boutiques opened Dec. 11 in its new digs at 209 S. Second St. in the former Spin Digity gym that closed in November. McCauley owns the business, and Jessica Gonzales offers her New Mexico Ranch Wife Designs jewelry in the shop, as well.

McCauley initially opened her business in the travel trailer in May but soon was looking for another space.

"It wasn't working out because we'd already outgrown it," she said. "It's really expanded and grown since May - way more than we thought. We started with one rack in our spare bedroom. Now we're into two rooms.

"I also have a 2-year-old, so it was hard to do the mobile part with him because you have to set up extensively every time. Plus, it was cold in there."

She said she also saw a niche that wasn't being served in the region.

"I wanted women in eastern New Mexico to be able to find affordable clothing options," McCauley said. "There aren't a lot of clothing options in this area."

She said she tries to carry clothing that are made by New Mexico-based, women-owned or fair-trade manufacturers.

Her clientele isn't just in New Mexico. Blanco Creek Boutique's private shopping page on Facebook counts more than 2,000 members, and McCauley ships "all over," including to Ohio and Iowa.

McCauley said the ongoing reconstruction of Second Street and subsequent lack of parking in front didn't dissuade her from opening in downtown. The street's makeover should be finished by mid-January.

"Even (with customers) having to park further away, we've had great foot traffic already," she said. "It's going to be great when it's done, I think. It's going to be great for other businesses on Second Street, as well."