While Alex Dekowski closed her much-loved boutique, Hello Addie, in 2019, her passion for style didn’t diminish. It wasn’t long before she returned with a new venture, the jewelry brand House of Muse. Her gold-plated and gold-filled jewelry aims to answer that eternal question: How can one look like a million bucks without breaking the bank or sacrificing quality?

What inspired you to launch House of Muse?
In 2020, when we were all wearing lounge and staying indoors, I turned to jewelry to feel a little more put-together. As a consumer, I had a difficult time finding gold-colored costume jewelry that didn’t easily tarnish or change color. It sparked my interest enough to figure out a way to create a product that lasted a little longer.

I found a handful of brands that made waterproof claims; some of them held up, but the problem was the price point. From my background, I understood what the product cost these companies to make, so looking at their retail price bothered me. There’s totally a time and place for a high-ticket item, but mass-produced costume jewelry, in my opinion, is not it. I’m not trying to reinvent the wheel, but if the margin’s there, why not offer the product at a more accessible price point?

How has your vision as a boutique owner shifted since Hello Addie?
Boutique owner to product/brand owner is definitely very different. It’s funny, though: My end goal with Hello Addie was always to develop our own apparel line. I’m finally living out that dream, but just in a different product category. I totally missed the boutique world, though, which is why we recently launched The Boutique Shop under our brand. While we’re a year into our jewelry brand, the boutique is still new. We’re taking our time with that portion of the business by launching small, more curated collections for the time being.

If you had to wear one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?
That’s so hard. If we’re talking apparel, I have to go with a blazer. You can style it in so many ways, and it really makes every outfit (even denim and a T-shirt) feel a little more polished. If we’re talking jewelry, I’m going to say hoop earrings, hands down. They’ve probably been my most-worn jewelry item since I was a teenager and, given that our weightless hoops are our best-selling style, I’m guess- ing a lot of you feel similarly.

OPEN

Mint+Major: At long last, online beauty and accessories shop Mint+Major has settled down (temporarily) among several other Baltimore favorites in The Shops at Kenilworth. Owner Melissa Bona announced the big news after an unfortunate turn of events transpired with her planned location in Fells Point. But, boy, are we glad Kenilworth came to the rescue. Bona’s experience in retail buying led her to open her own boutique, stocking on-trend and affordable merchandise from the best of the best in jewelry and beauty. So, if you’re looking for some new fall bling—or desperately need a moisturizing face mask—check out Mint+Major’s new digs. Be sure to save the date: Mint + Major’s Kenilworth launch party on September 12th from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. will celebrate with a signature cocktail and new fall arrivals.

Knockout Fitness Towson: Baltimore County residents, rejoice! Federal Hill’s Knockout Fitness comes to Towson this September. “We noticed there was a lack of specialty gyms in Baltimore County, so we have had our eye on Towson for a while,” co-owner Chris Nissley said in a press release. Specializing in boxing, this studio is also a hub for group fitness classes, boot camp programs, and personal training. After almost seven years in Federal Hill, this seems like a welcome expansion for Baltimore’s fitness community.

Floral Fêtes Green Spring Station: Big news! Owings Mills’ own Victoria Clausen Floral Events has planted roots in Green Spring Station with the opening of its sister shop, Floral Fêtes. Nooked in the corner of the courtyard, the spot features an abundance of elegant floral arrangements scattered about. But, that’s not all this shop is bringing. Expect to find lovely gifts and treasures made by Baltimore artists—the perfect complement to a fresh bouquet.

Match Made: If Hampden’s 36th Street is your shopping destination, it’s likely you’re already aware of Match Made Stores. However, for fashion-lovers outside of the city hub, prepare your wallets. For all things ultra-trendy and fashion-forward, Match Made is a go-to shop and now they’re headed for a new storefront within The Shops at Kenilworth. Join the store for a warm welcome on September 5 from 6-9 p.m., where you can sip drinks, shop new trends, and get a free manicure by MellyMani.

Codex Club: The Shops at Kenilworth isn’t the only growing shopping destination. Remington is a close second—especially now that Codex Club is bringing its one-stop shop to Baltimore. Owner Andrea Chen’s background in graphic design lends her a creative eye for all things stationary and gifting. But, that’s not all Codex Club offers: classic wardrobe pieces such as denim jackets and layered necklaces are aplenty. Stop by the new location on Remington Avenue—the winner of the recent Remington Storefront Challenge—on September 7th from 10 to 11 a.m. to celebrate opening with eats from neighborhood favorites. (Think treats like delicious cupcakes from Charm City Cakes and gourmet ice cream cones from Little Baby’s Ice Cream.)

FALL FASHION EVENTS

9/1: The River Oshun 1st Anniversary
Last year, Oshun Afrique opened her holistic natural salon in Mt. Vernon. Since then, The River Oshun has been a hot spot for styling beautiful locs and natural hair. Gather with the team of stylists as they celebrate their first anniversary with small bites, drinks, and local music by DJ Ducky Dynamo.

9/13: Green Spring Station Fall Fête
New renovations, new stores, and new fall merchandise—what’s not to celebrate? Green Spring Station throws Fall Fête 3 this September. At the annual event you won’t want to miss, enjoy a runway fashion show featuring the latest from the Green Spring boutiques and yummy eats from its restaurants.

SHUT

Hello Addie: Goodbyes are never easy. After a year in Federal Hill, Hello Addie announced its closing. Quickly becoming a neighborhood favorite, owner Alex Dekowski had set out on a mission to create a fashion boutique that appealed to all women, and she sure did deliver. But, as all good things must, Hello Addie’s time has come to an end as Dekowski takes her creative spirit to a new adventure.

Punch!: Federal Hill also will also bid farewell to Punch! Boutique this fall. Known for flirty skirts and sparkling jewels, Punch made itself a go-to destination for all things feminine and fun. Luckily, it’s not the complete end for this vibrant shop. Closing their Fed Hill spot just means a new venture in Washington, DC. To make this bitter news a little sweeter, owner Cydney Vigliotti announced that Punch will be returning for pop-up events in Baltimore, and that she is launching her own line of clothing. So, after four years, we’d say it was a good run in Fed Hill—but we’re excited to see what’s next.

Online clothing shopping may be convenient, but getting the right fit is the eternal struggle—especially if you wear an atypical size. That’s why when Alex Dekowski opened her contemporary women’s boutique, Hello Addie, in Federal Hill this past summer, she decided to offer complimentary alterations to her customers.

“We do our best to find brands that fit most people, but everyone’s bodies are so different, and we really want anyone who comes in to be able to find something in the store that makes them feel comfortable and confident,” says Dekowski. “Shopping can be miserable, but with the in-store alterations, if something doesn’t fit you perfectly, we can tweak it so that it does.”

Dekowski, a business major who worked in banking after dropping out of college, always had a love for fashion and decided to open the boutique in Federal Hill this past July after testing the waters with numerous pop-up shops throughout Pennsylvania and Maryland. “I think the fact that I don’t have a huge fashion background is an advantage and allows me to see the needs of the consumer that people who have been in the industry wouldn’t necessarily see,” she says.

The store, which is named after Dekowski’s grandmother, is full of on-trend items from brands such as Sage the Label, Matisse Footwear, Line & Dot, and Pistola Denim. Every week, the team at Hello Addie does an Instagram Live video where they all try on new arrivals and discuss the materials, fits, and quality of the items in real time.

“Everyone that works here has very different body types, so we like to show our girls what each piece could look like on them,” Dekowski says. “We have customers who come in the next day and say, I saw this on Instagram and I would’ve never thought I’d like it, but it looked good on everyone here, so I need it.”

To further her goal of inclusion at Hello Addie, Dekowski has plans to create her own line sometime next year. “Being a buyer for the first time, I noticed quickly that there is no single line that makes something in regular and plus sizes,” she says. “I plan to carry many styles with each piece offered in extra small through plus size. We don’t want anyone to have to walk into the store and have to find their section. We want everyone to be able to look through the same racks and to find something that they can leave feeling great about.”