Local fashion boutique named one of nation’s best

Local business Park & Madison Boutique has been making major magazine and television network headlines this summer. The boutique was recently named one of the top 50 boutiques in the United States by Elle magazine. This puts Park & Madison Boutique in line with other nationally recognized boutiques such as Barneys New York.

Park & Madison Boutique is the brainchild of West Virginia University graduates Shannon Coombs and Brittany Palumbo. Coombs and Palumbo realized there was a need for a boutique because many consumers in Morgantown were driving to Pittsburgh to get their fashion fix. They wanted to enable their customers to get the big-city fashion experience without having to drive more than an hour.

"ELLE.com found us while doing internet research and said they would love to have us featured on their website for the article. Being featured as a "Top Boutique in America" by Elle is such an honor and has definitely driven business to our store," Palumbo said.

In addition to being named a top place to shop by Elle, the effect of Park & Madison Boutique has been seen on television screens across the U.S. ABC’s "The Bachelorette’s" Emily Maynard, a Morgantown native, has been donning apparel from Park & Madison Boutique on "The Bachelorette" and on the pages of magazines.

"It was really awesome seeing her on the cover of multiple magazines in a wardrobe we hand picked for her," Palumbo said. "We are excited for the season finale of ‘The Bachelorette’ to air this Sunday, as Emily will be seen wearing a navy Bailey 44 skirt that came from our store."

Coombs and Palumbo will be launching their online store next month and are considering opening more Park & Madison stores outside of Morgantown.

For more information on Park & Madison Boutique you can visit their store at 1074 Suncrest Towne Centre Drive or their website at www.shopparkandmadison.com.

For more information on the top 50 boutiques in the U.S. you can visit www.elle.com.