Sarah Schaeffer with Uptown Boutique

Uptown Boutique (2652 S. Glenstone Ave., Springfield, MO, 417-848-5055) has been open since 2011, but it made its move to the Brentwood Center in 2024. Owner Sarah Schaeffer purchased the business during her senior year of college. “I love owning a business in Springfield because it’s still kind of that small-town feel,” Schaeffer says. “Eighty percent of the people that come through my door, I know their name and a little bit about them.”

Schaeffer has built a solid online store and digital presence, but ultimately, she keeps her doors open to interact with customers and build friendships. She encourages her employees to be passionate about their work at Uptown Boutique and steps in only when necessary, allowing them to learn on their own.