What started as a walk between friends and too much money spent on fashion blossomed into a local boutique in Gilbert that is transitioning to Batesburg-Leesville in the new year.

Cedar Lane Boutique began in the homes and car trunks of owners Amy McGinty and Shannon Kyzer, but with the support of the community, they opened their brick-and-mortar store in 2020.

“We used to walk and talk about clothes and how much we’d spend. I said, ‘Let’s do this,’” Kyzer said.

At first, they would have Facebook or Instagram live events at their homes or even host at people’s homes. Sometimes, they would quite literally sell out of the trunks of their cars by meeting people and delivering clothes.

This all started July 4, 2017, and it wasn’t until a few years later when the building at 4710 Augusta Hwy. opened up after being vacated by a plant nursery business. The store formerly known as Morgan’s Nursery transformed into the duo’s women’s clothing and accessory boutique.

In December, the ladies announced their move to a larger location less than 10 miles down the road in Batesburg-Leesville. The new shop at 151 N. Oak Street in the heart of downtown Batesburg is set to open the first week of January.

In addition to the bigger space, roughly twice the size of their current location, Kyzer mentioned they would also have a warehouse, which will come in handy.

When they initially moved into their brick and mortar in August 2020, the pandemic didn’t upset their business too much as their customers provided loyalty. The two owners said they have had many people help them along the way, and they admit there were learning curves in the beginning.

“We know what Gilbert [shoppers] like now and know our customers' sizes and styles,” Kyzer said. “We try to carry a variety for all of our customers.”

They know not to order too much of one thing so that there is a uniqueness that comes from shopping Cedar Lane. After all, women don’t want to walk around seeing other women dressed like them everywhere they go, the owners said.

In addition to shopping in person, people can download the store’s app — “the one with the wreath.” They also continue to host live shows on their social media channels, which include Facebook, Instagram and now TikTok. People can also visit their website at shopcedarlaneboutique.com.

The boutique is a full-time job now for the ladies, and they have an employee, Hannah Davis, helping out in the store, which the owners said is a big help — especially when moms come in with their children and she can help out, allowing the moms to have time to shop.

Another perk of their new shop in Batesburg-Leesville is the fact that they will have a little kids area set aside allowing moms and parents to shop a little easier.

“It’s not just a store, it’s a family here,” McGinty said.

Family and faith are a big part of both ladies’ lives, which is why they said they’ll never be open on Sundays. They are open Wednesdays from noon to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.

When customers come in to shop or shop online, they’ll find an assortment of styles but “casual dressy” seems to be a good fit when describing the selection, the ladies said. Of course, during the holidays, they have dressier options including plenty of sequins and sparkles.

Kyzer and McGinty said they both head to the major fashion market in Atlanta, Ga., throughout the year and they’ve come to know their trusted vendors and their vendors know them.

They said they also support local entrepreneurs. For instance, there is a lady from their church who sells pottery pieces and another local jeweler from Saluda they support in their shop.

“We love seeing our customers in our clothes,” Kyzer said. “There’s just no better feeling than seeing our clothes on people out in public,” says Kyzer.

“You feel like you help make someone feel good in our clothes,” McGinty added.