FORT SCOTT, Kan. — What began as a shared love of antiques and home decor has grown into a family business that is drawing shoppers downtown while inspiring the next generation of entrepreneurs.
Susan and Eddie Townley, owners of Be the Light Boutique at 12 N. Main St., have transformed a historic downtown building into a destination where customers can browse a carefully curated collection of antiques, home decor, fashion and one-of-a-kind finds.
Their daughter, Ella Townley, has followed in their footsteps by opening Eternal Grace Boutique across Main Street at 13 N. Main St., with clothing and accessories aimed primarily at younger shoppers.
The Townleys bought the building in 2021 and spent about a year renovating it before opening Be the Light Boutique in November 2023.
“We started out in the city doing booths in antique malls,” Susan Townley said. “We kind of understood the market, learned how to buy and sell, and wanted to expand that.”
The family previously lived in Olathe and waited until Ella graduated from high school before moving to Fort Scott full time. Ella graduated this year from Spring Hill High School, and the family relocated about six weeks ago.
Susan said the family chose Fort Scott because they believed its historic downtown could become a shopping destination.
“We were hoping that Fort Scott would kind of be a destination hub for people to come down on a Saturday and shop and eat and have fun and get away from the city,” she said.
Before opening the boutique, Eddie owned rental houses in Fort Scott. After selling the properties, the couple invested in the downtown building, eventually establishing their business there.
Today, Be the Light Boutique offers a blend of antiques, home decor, fashion and specialty items sourced from across the country. The Townleys travel within a 300-mile radius to attend estate sales, antique sales and other events in search of distinctive merchandise. They also buy new inventory at wholesale markets in Dallas and Atlanta.
Originally from Texas, Susan said she wanted to bring the boutique shopping experience she enjoyed there to southeast Kansas.
“I just feel like I brought what I was accustomed to in Texas here,” she said.
Rather than stocking large quantities of identical products, the couple selects merchandise individually.
“It’s a curated collection,” Susan said. “A lot of our things are one-offs. We just have one of them. You never know what you’re going to find when you come in.”
That approach has resonated with customers.
Shawna Schneider, who was visiting Fort Scott while her husband participated in a chamber golf tournament, bought a decorative metal piece she spotted in the store.
“I think everything is well done, and the prices are great,” Schneider said.
When asked why she chose the item, Schneider smiled.
“It’s unique, and the price was great,” she said.
Downtown Fort Scott made an immediate impression on Schneider, who was visiting for the first time.
“What a lovely little town,” she said. “You have it all here. Never have to go anywhere else.”
Across Main Street, Ella Townley has begun a business journey of her own.
The 18-year-old recently opened Eternal Grace Boutique after years of dreaming about owning a clothing store. She said fashion has always been one of her passions, and opening a storefront gave her an opportunity to bring her personal style to life.
“I’ve always wanted to have my own clothing store,” Ella said. “I’ve always loved clothes, fashion and designing everything, so being able to open my own store was a really cool experience.”
She rents the storefront and specializes in clothing for teens and young women, though she hopes shoppers of all ages will find something they enjoy.
The opportunity arose after she qualified for early release during her senior year of high school, giving her several months before graduation to focus on launching the business.
“The slot from January to May was open, and it gave me time to start something new and refresh on everything,” she said.
Community support has played a significant role in the boutique’s early success.
“I’m 18, and it’s a lot of work to open your own store,” Ella said. “The community has been really supportive. They’ve truly been amazing.”
Eternal Grace Boutique is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays.
This fall, Ella will begin classes at Pittsburg State University, where she plans to study business with an emphasis in management and marketing. She intends to commute from Fort Scott while continuing to operate the boutique, with help from family members when needed.
“It’s only about 30 minutes,” she said. “I’ll mainly be here as much as I can.”
Her long-term goals are to expand the business, strengthen relationships with customers and eventually create her own clothing line.
Most of the boutique’s inventory comes from online wholesalers, with additional merchandise selected during annual buying trips to Dallas with her parents.
The boutique’s name also has personal meaning.
The name Eternal Grace incorporates her middle name, Grace, while reflecting her family’s Christian faith. She said Proverbs 31:25 was one of the verses that inspired her during the planning process.
As she prepares to become a Pittsburg State student, Ella hopes more college students will discover the boutique.
“I would love for more Pitt State girls to come down here and shop, have fun and look around,” she said. “If they need anything, they can always come here and ask me for it.”
Looking back on the experience of opening a business at such a young age, Ella advises aspiring entrepreneurs to be patient.
“If there’s something that’s stressing you out or something that’s going wrong, just take time,” she said. “Don’t freak out in the moment. It’s very stressful sometimes, but at the end of the day, it’s an amazing experience.”
She also thanked the customers who have supported her first venture.
“You guys have truly been incredible,” she said. “It’s been a great experience, and it’s been very fun for an 18-year-old.”
