Local realtors open boutique in Pleasant View

“There’s a real need for this in this area,” for a boutique, she said. “Pleasant View is a bedroom community in the real-estate world. That’s what it’s considered because people don’t shop here. They sleep here. They live here, and they shop someplace else because they leave to go to work every day, whether it’s Clarksville, Springfield or Nashville.

“I can’t tell you how many people that I’ve sold a house to that have bought it (because) Pleasant View’s a very thriving little area because we’re right off the interstate and we’re 30 minutes to Nashville and 30 minutes to Clarksville,” Leonard continued. “We get a lot of buyers in the real-estate world that they’re going somewhere else. They’re not moving to Pleasant View because they work in Pleasant View. They’re coming here because it’s convenient to the interstate and they can go one way or the other.”

This isn’t the first endeavor for either of the women: Simmons and her mom also run Miss Ellaneous in Hendersonville, and Leonard owns Second Chance Shopgirl. Leonard said this is her first “brick-and-mortar” store.

The co-workers and co-business operators said they want the community to know that they’re there. One way they think will draw shoppers in is with Leonard’s DIY classes, which Facebook users can find on Second Chance Shopgirl and Southern Grace and Lace Boutique’s pages.

They recently hosted a wreath-making class, and will host the next class — with complimentary wine — on Nov. 8, hand-crocheting a “chunky” blanket.

Leonard caps the classes to a manageable number, but she said she would consider holding a second event if it garners enough interest. She hopes to host about three classes per week, with projects such as furniture painting, wreath making and more.

Simmons, a “fashionista,” handles stocking the clothing racks, and Leonard handles the home decor, much of it she works on in her “she shed” — where she has 10 to 15 projects in the works — and she does take custom orders.

Leonard said the two work well together to “juggle” the needs at the store.

“You would think we’ve known each other our entire lives,” Simmons said.

Southern Grace and Lace Boutique is open Tuesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.