By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post

Something Blue in Hays has expanded its business and split into two different spaces with two different merchandise lines.

The store has moved its wedding dresses and accessories to 1012 Main St.

Kayla Rathbun, owner, said the new space gives more visibility to the store’s wedding dresses. The dresses had been stored on the second floor of the Something Blue’s space at 1008 Main St. Something Blue moved into the new 1,500-square-foot space on April 1.

The space was formerly occupied by Gypsy Rose. Some of the products lines at Gypsy Rose, including purses, are now available across the street at Salon Ten O Seven.

“We were hoping expanding would put more of our gowns in the view of people,” Rathbun said. “It has worked already. We have had a lot more appointments. We have had a lot more walk-ins. We see a lot more people stopped at the stoplight look in, so it is obviously working.”

The store is carrying about 400 wedding gowns with more coming. Rathbun said she is seeing new trends in gowns with many brides opting for ivory, champagne or blush over white. The store has also seen an increase in couples opting for fall and December weddings over the usual spring and summer events.

“It is becoming a trend. People don’t want to stand out there in 90-degree, 100-degree weather,” Rathbun said. “They would rather have their ceremony in the church and then have their reception and not take as many pictures outside and wedding gowns in snowy weather can make beautiful pictures.”

The store carries some mother-of-the-bride dresses, bridesmaid dresses and flower girl dresses, but Rathbun said she plans to expand those offerings. The store carries about 100 bridesmaid gowns currently and more online. Rathbun said the store didn’t have room to carry the bridesmaid dresses at the former location.

Rathbun said the bridal store is a needed service in the community. To find much of a selection, most brides would have to go to Wichita or Kansas City.

“I’d rather keep our money local,” she said, noting the store donates to a variety of local charities.

Something Blue will be open noon to 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, 10 a.m to 3 p.m Saturdays and by appointment.

The 1,350-sqaure-foot space at 1008 Main St. has been renamed Bluetique and will be a boutique. It will focus on clothing for men, women and children. The store also sells food items, decorative items and still stocks some of Something Blue’s wedding accessories.

The store has expanded its children’s clothing line. The store carries kids’ clothing from newborn to size 10/12.

“I have two kids,” she said. “I know it is hard to find places around here to shop for them.”

In women’s clothing, Bluetique carries small to 3X and in men’s the store carries up to a 2X.

Bluetique’s hours are 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays.

Something Blue has grown significantly over the last three years. Rathbun started making paper flowers and bouquets and selling them on Etsy. A year ago, she opened Something Blue as a bridal store, and her enterprise has grown from there. Although the store still offers paper flowers and bouquets for weddings, Rathbun has had to delegate most of that hand work to her employees.

She said the two stores keep her busy, but thought they are complimentary.

Bluetique carries men’s, women’s and children’s clothing as well as gift items.

“I think it works really well because over (at Something Blue) it is a more serious side. It is a big decision,” she said. “Over (at Bluetique) we get to have fun, and we get to participate in all the downtown events. I feel we get the best of both worlds.”

Rathbun, 33, said she had difficulty deciding what she wanted to do with her life, but she says she feels she has finally found her passion.

“Under my name in the yearbook, it said ‘undecided’, but now I feel like I finally figured it out,” she said.

“I love the boutique stuff,” she said. “I get to show my personality when I am looking for items to purchase for the store. I look for things that I think are fun or styles that I like and that I think other people will like too.”

You can follow both Something Blue and Bluetique on Facebook.