See inside new unique, plus-size boutique in Warner Robins ahead of opening

Billed as the only plus-size boutique for women in Warner Robins, Society31 was birthed out of the owner’s own struggle to find trendy, unique and affordable clothing in her size.

“Everybody should be able to feel beautiful,” said owner Allison Faik. “They should feel empowered, and they should feel welcome, and they should feel beautiful and confident.”

The new boutique opens June 26 at 133 Margie Drive, Suite G, in the Jasmine Place shopping center next to El Cotija Mexican Restaurant.

Find carefully curated clothing for curvy women at Society31

Step inside the playful and welcoming space to find a carefully curated selection of women’s clothing in sizes large to 4X. Faik also offers 5X pieces when she can find them.

“I think that it’s important to go beyond what the big-box stores have to offer and give women something that makes them feel good on the inside and look good on the outside while staying on trend, and within a reasonable price point,” Faik said.

The highest-priced item in the store is a $60 maxi dress. The clothing is sourced from more than 20 vendors.

The clothing is organized by collections based on suggested age ranges that are coded by color. The collections are centered around rugs with matching colors to easily find them. The boutique is geared for women age 25 and up.

A sign explaining collections by color is strategically placed in the front of the boutique. The color designations are:

• Pink for the “Elevated Everyday” collection recommended for age 25 and up.
• Blue for the “Polished & Put Together” collection recommended for age 35 and up.
• Green for the “Timeless Confidence” collection recommended for age 45 and up.
• Yellow for the “Core Collection” described as basics for everybody.

“Like it says, it’s recommended,” Faik said of the sign. “But that doesn’t mean you have to stay in your age group, because what fun would that be?”

Society31 also offers seasonal collections, all sorts of accessories

The boutique also offers seasonal collections, such as a July 4 collection curated for everyone.

Clothing collections centered around sports teams are also planned for local high schools and for colleges including the University of Georgia, Georgia Tech, Georgia Southern and possibly Alabama, Faik said.

These collections are expected to offer all sizes starting at small so that friends can “twin,” she said.

The boutique also features all sorts of accessories, including purses, sunglasses, scarves, jewelry, keychains and more. Georgia Bulldogs fans can find a few team-themed keychains, earrings and team color bracelets among the accessories.

In addition to the new purses in the boutique, a collection of gently used purses sold on consignment is offered for sale.

Customers can sell qualifying purses in this section for a 75-25% split between customer and owner respectively, Faik said.

How did the name Society31 come about?

The name Society31 comes in part from Proverbs 31 in the Bible with the verse, Proverbs 31:25, displayed on a wall of the boutique: “She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.”

“I was trying to think of a name for the business, and I’m usually pretty creative with stuff like that — like I would have a list of 10 possibilities,” Faik said. “But I could not get past Proverbs 31 that says she’s clothed with strength and dignity.

“And so I was like, OK, God, I hear you. I’ll put 31 in it. So then I just needed a word to go with 31, and so, we’re Society31.”

A mirror with a gold-colored frame on a wall between the boutique’s two spacious dressing rooms is also etched with, “She is clothed with strength and dignity.”

‘Happy, bright, colorful things’ fill the Society31 boutique

The boutique’s decor is bright and colorful.

“I just wanted everything to be really happy,” Faik said. “I wanted it to make the customers feel good and make them smile.

“I just wanted happy things — just all the happy, bright, colorful things I could find, and I just put them all in one place.”

Faik operates the boutique with her friend, neighbor and employee, Nancy Beasley.

“Nancy has been an absolute lifesaver,” Faik said. “She’s been my rock for this, and she’s listened to me cry and complain.

“And she’s listened to my crazy ideas, and told me when I had a crazy idea and I shouldn’t do crazy idea, and she’s been a constant encouragement and support, and I could not be where I am right now without her.”

Society31 is the first business venture for former stay-at-home mom

In her first business venture, Faik, a former stay-at-home mom turned entrepreneur, started with a business plan. She also built the boutique from the ground up.

The space the boutique is in was among three spaces that previously housed a gym. She first built a wall to separate from the other two spaces, had flooring installed, constructed dressing rooms, designed the interior, and filled the space.

Faik also gave a shoutout to her dad, William Page.

“I could not have done any of this without my dad, his support, and believing in me and believing in my dream and vision,” Faik said.

Her husband, Mehdy Faik, who works on base, also has been supportive.

“He thinks it’s awesome,” Faik said. “He’s super proud. I don’t think he’s ever seen anything like this come to fruition because it’s straight out of my brain, out on the floor, and it’s pretty cool, actually.

“Not to pat myself on the back, but I’m kind of in awe of what I’ve done, and I couldn’t have done it by myself. I had quite a bit of help.”

June 26-27 grand opening details, ‘fashion emergencies’ & more

Society31 opens June 26 following an 11 a.m. ribbon cutting. The two-day grand opening weekend also features a sip and shop June 27. Faik expects to have the Sip Peazy food truck and likely another food truck that features desserts on site on both days.

The boutique has a website from which clothing can be ordered online and picked up in the store. Faik also has a pickup site in Dublin and plans additional sites in East Dublin and possibly Milledgeville.

Additionally, Faik said she’ll be available by phone outside of regular store hours for “fashion emergencies.”

“I’ve been there, where you find out you have something the next day, you need an outfit, nothing is open, you cannot find anything in your size,” Faik said. “I want my customers to feel comfortable to call me, and I will come to the store if they have a fashion emergency.”

Hours will be 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Fashion emergency? Call Faik at 478-538-5715.