Oct. 25, 2018

Downtown Hartford is gaining another retailer.

Amy Hallem, who started Modish Designs & Boutique out of her home two years ago, is moving into a former taxidermy space on Main Avenue. She’ll be not far from Buffalo Ridge Brewing, which also opens next month.

“I’ve been operating out of a room in my house and most of the garage, and it spilled over into the family room and the basement,” Hallem said. “It was just time to make the move.”

The graphic designer creates logos and marketing materials for businesses and does full screen-printing and embroidery on apparel for customers. She has expanded into creating her own line of casual wear that features sayings such as “Faith Over Fear,” “Blessed Mama” and “Life’s Better on the Farm.”

“It’s whatever I think is funny,” she said.

The boutique will be stocked with Hallem’s creations, and she’ll also do custom orders, whether it’s one T-shirt or several. Customers can look through apparel catalogues and design books for ideas.

Modish also will carry jeans, cardigans and other casual wear.

“It’s small-town South Dakota, everyday clothes,” she said.

The space at 109 N. Main Ave. is going through a full renovation, and Hallem plans to have a grand-opening on Thanksgiving weekend with Small Business Saturday. If construction goes according to plan, she’ll be ready to open in mid-November.

Hours will be 2 to 6 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday.