CENTERTOWN, Mo. - The dream of owning a storefront is coming to fruition for Kelsey Ott.
The Pink Poppy Boutique is relocating from Ott's basement to what most people know as the former Centertown Bank at 11811 Main St.
Ott began her business adventure on a whim in 2016. She transformed her family's basement into a space for shoes, jewelry and clothing.
Monthly "Stop and Shop" events helped locals shop. Ott also promoted items on Facebook and allowed customers to call dibs and pick them up.
With the storefront, she plans to eliminate the at-home pickups and be more available for customers.
The boutique started as a side job and will now be her full-time employment.
She said many Centertown residents have said they are happy something will come of the building.
"I have loved this building for a really long time," Ott said.
The goal of an "industrial chic design" included keeping the original storefront and brick inside.
Wall-to-wall racks will fill one side of the store with shoes and display accessories. The vault and a second space will be used as a fitting room.
The old bank was last used for apartments in the 1980s but has been vacant for 20 years. With renovations, plumbing, electric and an HVAC system were updated on the lower and upper levels.
Plans for upstairs are coming soon, she added.
Doors will open at 9 a.m. May 4 for a grand opening event with refreshments and prizes.
"With a purchase on opening day, they get entered into the grand-prize drawing for two tickets for a Cardinals baseball game this summer," Ott said.
Temporarily, hours will be set on a weekly basis.