Soul of 78: Mallory McLemore

Marlee Jane’s Boutique

Words by Jenny Lynn Davis | Images by Ryan McGill

Mallory McLemore doesn’t believe in letting a problem go unsolved. She refuses to sit back and allow a situation to remain unchanged when change is desperately needed.

In 2012, she was shopping for an outfit for her daughter, Aubrey, and noticed a change that needed to be made. “There were no dedicated children’s boutiques in Jasper,” she recalls. “There were really cute clothes in corner displays at stores that were mainly for adults, but no wall-to-wall, fully-purposed children’s boutiques.”

So, in typical Mallory fashion, she went to work solving the problem. She coordinated with her parents, who were seeking a tenant for a property they owned on 20th Street in Jasper. After Mallory explained her “why,” noting that she would solve another problem by occupying the space, her parents were on board. With their help, and the help of her husband, Jake, Mallory set forth on the journey to open Marlee Jane’s Boutique in June 2013.

“Marlee Jane's is a fashionable, trendy boutique that lets you find your child a full outfit all in one place,” she explains. “There’s no need to go to multiple stores when you can get clothes, shoes, and accessories at the same place, and have our team help you style it all.”

The boutique’s namesake is Mallory’s youngest daughter, Marlee. Choosing her name wasn't an act of favoritism, but rather a catchy-sounding way to incorporate her children into her business. It was important to Mallory that the boutique bear the name of one of her children, as they are her life’s biggest inspirations.

“Everything I do is for Aubrey, Bentley, Marlee, and Mac,” Mallory says, her eyes lighting up with pride. “They are my world, and they inspire me every day in even the smallest of ways. Without them, I wouldn’t have ever had the idea to start this business, and I’ll go as far to say I wouldn’t know my purpose.”

Being both a business owner and a mother of four is often challenging, but Mallory “somehow, miraculously” makes it work due to her passion for making a difference.

“I feel accomplished when Marlee Jane’s helps another parent,” she explains. “I know firsthand how time-consuming and tedious shopping for kids' clothes can be. So, if I can help ease that stress for someone, I’ve made a difference in their life, and that makes me proud.” 78