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The Girls and Me Boutique celebrated 15 years of operations with the Morristown Area Chamber of Commerce, family and friends Thursday.

The boutique is owned by Janet Hofer and managed by her daughter Julie Campbell.

“I just can’t believe it’s been 15 years,” Hofer said. “We have been in this location for 5 years, we were previously in Manley Village before relocating.”

She explained how the business came to be and how she can thank her granddaughter for the opportunity.

“15 years ago in April my husband John Hofer and I were going to be out of town and my daughter Joni Robinson was getting ready to have my granddaughter,” she said. “I went over to Mildreds Florist to get some flowers for the birth.”

“She told me to come with her and said she wanted to sell her boutique which was a couple of doors down. At the time we had been roaming vendors for 6 years, so when I got home I called my daughter Julie and asked her what she thought about it and if I should buy it.”

“After some prayers and discussing which I call ‘cussing and discussing’ we decided to buy the boutique a week later. Julie, Jackie Barnes and I sat at my dining room table and came up with the name for the store and Jackie was our first employee. Because of my granddaughter’s birth we are standing here in the store.”

As Hofer reflects on the 15 years, she is thankful at the amazing staff she has had work at the shop.

“Since then we have evolved greatly and had some amazing people come in and join our staff,” she said. “We have had a nurse practitioner, physician assistant, and a registered nurse while going to school work here.”

“We have had a retiree from the pentagon, retired teacher and those in between jobs and we have been the luckiest store in Morristown to have had such amazing staff over the years.”

Hofer explained how the merchandise sold at the boutique has history and a meaning behind it.

“Some of the things we have here have stories,” she said. “Good Works jewelry that we sell has inspirational messages on their pieces and proceeds of each sale go to help kids here in the United States and all over the world.”

“Green Tree Jewelry is based in California and their entire factory was burnt down, but one piece of equipment” she said. “Now they create eco-friendly jewelry.”

David Slack, Chamber Chair-Elect presented Hofer with a certificate celebrating the shop’s accomplishments.

He then read proclamation dedicated to the business by the State of Tennessee the House of Representatives made a proclamation

“Whereas it is fitting we should recognize and commend those exemplary businesses that through their commitment, value and dedication to community service have contributed greatly to the state for many years,” He read. “Whereas one such outstanding business, Girls and Me Boutique located in Morristown which is celebrating its fifteenth anniversary of operations.”

“Whereas it is a fully female owned and family operated; owned by Janet Hofer and managed by her daughter Julie Campbell. The all women crew work part time and full time and make up a three generation family.”

“The origin of the business can be traced to January 2002 when seeking a permanent location it found its first location at Manley Village before reallocating to its Sandstone Drive facility in November 2017.”

The proclamation highlighted the business dedication to community service.

“They are always ready to answer the call to help when neighbors are in need. The owner and employees of Girls and Me Boutique have collected donations, supplies for victims of flood; tornadoes and hurricane and helped residents of retirement and nursing centers who have no family nearby.”

“Throughout the illustrious 15 year history Girls and Me Boutique has reached the highest levels of dedication to its customers and community.”

The Girls and Me Boutique is located at 2251 Sandstone Drive in Morristown and is open Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

For more information about the boutique or its products, call 423-585-0333