Georgia Lou’s Boutique in downtown Pawnee!

By Cindy Ladage

Joey Walters, who owns Walters Chiropractic serves Pawnee residents on Mondays in his office locate at 528 Douglas St., just off the Pawnee square. With the building free the rest of the week, when his mom, Marcie, expressed interest in following her lifelong dream of opening a boutique, he was on board. 

“I’ve always wanted a boutique or shop. I did social work for 25 years and have been retired for two years now.” She was babysitting in the past for her son Joey, but she said, “When they moved back to Edwardsville, I decided to open Georgia Lou’s.” 

The name Georgia Lou’s, Marcie said comes from the name of her cockapoo Georgia, and her maiden name Lewis, thus, Georgia Lou’s. This makes sense when you see the cute lady walking a dog framing her Facebook page.

The shop is filled with trendy clothes, home goods, jewelry and candles, and they offer dresses for dances as well. Marcie’s granddaughter Hadley is her spokesmodel, social media guru, and assists with choosing clothing. “This has been so much fun to do this with Hadley,” Marcie said. 

Recently they offered the first event at Georgia Lou’s. “We had a so much fun at our Terrarium Class. We had about 15 people and they brought glass, miniatures and more.  We are going to try and do monthly classes,” Marcie said. “We have been open for four weeks now.”

Besides the clothing and accessories, they also offer a Dirty Soda Bar at Georgia Lou’s.  It’s based on soda, or Alani, an energy drink,” Marcie said explaining how it works. We coordinate it with the drink, or Starbucks Frappuccino then mix it with ice. We have all kinds of syrups, then top it with cream and cherries. It is so tasty, I had to cut myself off!” 

The Dirty Soda Bar was Hadley’s idea Marcie said. It has been especially popular with the younger crowd. Although customers of all ages enjoy a unique drink. Many of the highschoolers she said come in check out what is offered, then go home looking online and find a recipe to try. The soda bar is all self-serve, and it is fun to see the concoctions everyone makes. 

“The best part is seeing everybody. I just love people,” Marcie shared. Having fun bringing in new fashions and décor for the changing seasons, fall arrivals will be here end of September, and she is excited about what the holiday season will bring. “I try to keep the prices down,” she said about being affordable for her customers. 

Working in her boutique is a bit of a throwback. “It reminds me sometimes of when my grandma worked at Nelson’s making sodas at the soda fountain,” she shared.

Back in the day, the boutique on the square was Mona’s Magic Mirror. Today, it is Georgia Lou’s Boutique with the same love of community, family, school and town.

Open Tuesday – Friday from 10 – 6, and Saturday from 9 to 2, there are lots of chances to stop by.