Boutique opens doors in Liberty Lake
![Joe ane Jody Hoffman have opened The Lake Shack Boutique in Liberty Lake. This is the couple's first business, and they will sell mostly women's clothing and accessories and some men's clothing in the 1,500 square-foot boutique.
(J. BART RAYNIAK / The Spokesman-Review)](https://thumb.spokesman.com/w-9IxDxRBOLnuyOU5y30-iTQ3Rk=/400x0/media.spokesman.com/photos/2007/07/21/srx_VV_Biz_Lake_Shack2_07-21-2007_C8B33D1.jpg)
The city of Liberty Lake has its first clothing store.
The Lake Shack Boutique opened July 10 in the new retail buildings at the west entrance of The Home Depot complex along Country Vista Drive.
“It’s exciting and everyone in the community is excited so it makes it more exciting to be part of that buzz,” says store co-owner Jodi Hoffman. “Hopefully, there will be more to come and we will all complement each other.”
Hoffman and husband and business partner, Joe Hoffman Jr., said they’ve wanted to open a clothing boutique for several years, and the pieces seemed to fall into place after noting the new minimall possibilities. The two are lifelong Spokane Valley residents and moved to their home on Liberty Lake two years ago.
They signed a four-year lease for the 1,500-square-foot retail location, spent some time touring other boutiques while in Arizona, and created an inviting atmosphere for browsing at their own store.
Of the boutique’s name, the Hoffman’s said they wanted it to reflect the relaxed, comfortable atmosphere of the Liberty Lake community as well as note the store’s one-of-a-kind appeal.
“We’re staying very true to the concept of boutique,” said Jodi Hoffman, 35, referring to the small quantities of like styles of tops and dresses. “When it’s gone, it’s gone.”
The Lake Shack Boutique specializes in women’s weekend/casual wear and trendy career pieces in sizes 0 to 12, XS to XL. And clothing prices range from about $38 to $200. They also sell wares by local jewelers and a soy candle maker. Plus, The Lake Shack Boutique is the exclusive Inland Northwest retailer of Tucker Paisley and Nikita Lynn designer purses.
“We wanted a couple of well known lines and a couple lines that are more exclusive to Spokane,” Jodi Hoffman said. “We’re a work in progress – we’re even taking suggestions from people if they know of lines they’d like to see here.”
A section of men’s clothing is tucked in one area of the store that Jodi Hoffman lightheartedly refers to as “my guilty conscience corner.”
Currently, Jodi Hoffman runs the daily operation and has reduced her hours as a medical researcher for a couple of months until she hires employees. Joe Hoffman Jr., is the manager of a local Discount Tire outlet.
The Hoffmans are enjoying their new pace that includes planning buying trips to Los Angeles and Las Vegas, and are pleased with customer response so far.
“It’s been absolutely wonderful,” said Jodi Hoffman, “We just exceeded our expectation, even in the first week of business.”