Well, Howdy, y’all! Here’s news about a surprise gem and it’s just what Boca Raton was missing: a genuine, sophisticated country-western-inspired clothing store. It’s foxy and impressive, and it’s right in the heart of town. “Lil Bee’s Bohemian” is an inviting surprise that will “knock your boots off.” As you enter the front door, it’s clear that the inventory is eclectic and original, and that the rooms of alluring collections go on and on. If you’ve never considered country-western wear, just wait till you meet stunning owner, Kelli Tracy. She greets guests wearing everything you’re eventually going to want to buy: attractive jeans, a belt with a big metal buckle, slinky boots, an eye-catching fringed shirt, a wrist full of girly bracelets, and a coordinated cowgirl hat to complete the outfit. She looks so darn exquisite, it makes you want to look just like that, too.
Kelli and her assistant/creative ad person, Kalyn Pierce, will be delighted to show you around in the most charming way. They’ll point out shelves and shelves of different patterned boots, racks of bell bottoms and flare pants, Vintage wear, purses, and jewelry. There’s so much to see, it feels like you could spend an entire day taking it all in.
Lil Bee’s Bohemian has been in business for 8 years, since August 2016. Kelli tells the wonderful story of its growth from when she was working alone, adding more and more clothes to her closet, then buying even more clothes on eBay and reselling them until she married. Her place was so filled that there was no room for her husband and her stepson and stepdaughter. Kelli explained, “My home-based business became an overwhelmed house. We were working from sun up to sun down and there was too much inventory for a house.” She opened her first showroom, a 300-square-foot venue off Camino Real but soon even that was too small. Today she has 3 “bays”, that is, two warehouses that are attached in which she knocked out one wall so the space flows together.
As the business continued to grow, Kelli realized she needed help. One of her regular customers, Kalyn, was a natural shoo-in. Her background was in interior design, graphic design, and photography, and she already knew the merchandise well. As Manager of Operations and Marketing, Kalyn said she “feels fulfilled” in her job. Both women work hard. They are getting more and more involved in their community, doing local shows in Florida, and preparing for and attending Yoga Festivals and shows. The largest one is Coco Market in Delray, held on the first Sunday of every month (9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at 51 N. Swinton Avenue visit CocoMarket.org for more info. and come by Lil Bee’s Bohemian’s tent.) There are 65 vendors selling clothing, candles, jewelry, home décor, skincare items and more. Kalyn commented, “We stay up with the trends and we are always adding new pieces including groovy prints and Retro style designs.” Kelli added, “I will never sell anything I wouldn’t wear personally.”
The unique brand “Lil Bee Bohemian” originated when Kelli began calling her stepdaughter “Lil Bee.” Her brand includes her specialty items such as “Kelli’s Fringe Bag”, so popular because they are made of Vegan leather that Kelli described as “earthy.” They come in different colors and the fringe and guitar-style straps on the bags can be cleverly interchanged. Another unique winner is the “Buddha Girl Bangles”, bracelets from Thailand that come in many colors and designs, sold singly or with as many as 9 attached. They are jelly-style bracelets made of real silver and gold leaf, and “they go from the pool to the office, and even to the airport (they’re TSA proof.”) Kelli said, “It’s a lovely tradition that when you gift a bangle, you are practicing gratitude.” In addition, you must see Kelli’s #1 item, “Thunder Road Boots”, in different gorgeous colors of soft suede, understandably her top seller.
Lil Bee’s Bohemian is a store in which you are compelled to see and touch the goods. Kelli commented that the days of COVID-19 forced online shopping are less and less, and the “brick & mortar” stores are back. Unfortunately, China has made a dent in American retail. Inexpensive Chinese products such as those from Temu, Shein and Cider are wreaking havoc on American businesses. Kelli explained, “They even unscrupulously steal photos from my website” and sell copies of my clothing. Kelli substantiates by showing an article displaying her store name by a company from the Philippines named Moda Gracia that has duplicated her clothing collection but all “on sale.” Meanwhile, Kelli will continue to offer the quality and service that has resulted in her huge number of repeat customers. She is proud to be a woman-owned business that supports other women by choosing to buy her merchandise almost strictly from other women’s vendors.
Kelli once did a clothing “collab” with superstar country singer Lainey Wilson to bring a “collection of pieces that are kinda redneck, kinda Hollywood and 100% bell bottom country.” They were so popular that you’d find that the “Sunday Best Embroidered Pearl Button Top matched with Keepin’ Bars in Business Acid Wash Black Denim Bells” were often Sold Out. They are sold out now since it was a one-time collaboration with her. Kelli is looking for more local exposure. You might spot her posing in front of her old Ford pick-up truck out back but more likely, she is loading the truck with racks of colorful clothes, her distinctive fringe bags, and Thunder Road boots to head to the Coco Market in Delray. Just be sure you don’t miss the surprising dazzle of browsing through her most extraordinary showroom. See you there, Partner!
Lil Bee’s Bohemian
2510 NW 2nd Avenue, Boca Raton, FL 33431
www.LilBeesBohemian.com
561-289-2996