By Hannah Werle
NILES, Ohio – Just a few months after opening their company, Auntashae Tates and Terrance Warran have moved Truth Fashion Boutique into the Eastwood Mall in Niles.
The store, which offers women’s clothing of all sizes, initially opened in Warren in February. The co-owners decided moving to the mall would increase available space and take advantage of foot traffic.
Truth Fashion’s grand opening is Aug. 9. The store opened for business July 19.
Tates and Warran have high aspirations for their venture. They hope to expand the inventory to include menswear and franchise their retail concept.
“We want it to go through the roof,” Warran says. “We want to expand. Not only to think inside the box but to start thinking outside the box as well.”
Joe Bell, director of corporate communications for The Cafaro Co., says it’s important for the mall to house locally owned businesses. The Eastwood Mall Complex currently boasts 62 locally owned businesses, according to Bell.
“Independent businesses add flavor to the shopping center. They bring the personality of the community. They give people lots of niche products that they wouldn’t get anywhere else,” he says.