Two Friends Come Up With A Sterling Idea For A Boutique

By Kaaren Valenta

Barbara Bouton and Shari Rucinski have a lot in common. Both are married with four children, including 8-year-old boys who are good friends. The two moms have spent a lot of time sitting together at youth baseball and football games, watching the games and talking.

So when it came time for Barbara Bouton to follow her dream and open a little boutique, it was not surprising that Shari Rucinski got involved, too. The two women recently launched Silver Lining Etc, a shop specializing in sterling silver jewelry and gifts in Ricky’s Shopping Center on South Main Street.

“My family has lived in Newtown for ten years,” Ms Bouton said. “There has been a real lack of shopping in Newtown, but recently a lot of businesses have been opened by women. I really admire the women business owners in this town. They have been very supportive of us.”

Before launching their business, Barbara Bouton and Shari Rucinski did their homework.

“Shari is very Internet savvy,” Ms Bouton said. “She researched small businesses, we found a local attorney, got our business license, and began visiting trade shows. We also researched almost 100 manufacturers to be able to offer good quality merchandise at a reasonable price. ”

Locating space on South Main Street (Route 25) was the biggest challenge.

“That is where we wanted to be,” Ms Bouton said, “but there just wasn’t anything on Route 25. We were out scouting every day from June to October. Then we noticed that the cellular store had moved out of Ricky’s so we got in touch with the landlord and convinced him to rent us the space.”

Although they had planned to do only minimal renovations, one thing led to another and soon the store was completely redone inside. Carpet covers the tile floor; new wallpaper and bead board wainscoting were installed.

“We moved fast,” Ms Bouton said. “We wanted to open before Thanksgiving.”

Silver Lining Etc features cases of sterling silver jewelry and accessories, beginning at $3 for toe rings, pinkie rings, and rings for children. The most expensive item in the shop is a $94 sterling silver business card holder.

“Everything is sterling, nothing is plated,” Ms Bouton said. “We have a large assortment of religious items and men’s gifts, including golf markers, money clips, cuff links, bookmarks. We also have men’s rings, chains, and bracelets.”

There are baby gifts, including spoons, tiny teddy bear keepsakes that open to store baby teeth and locks of hair, pearl necklaces and bracelets.

There are spinner rings that say “God Bless America” and others set with onyx and mother-of-pearl.

“We tried to get unique things,” Ms Rucinski said. “Our largest sterling silver ring set with turquoise is $40. It would be $80 or $90 anywhere else.”

There are cases of earrings, chokers, pendants, lockets, bracelet watches, and jewelry set with turquoise, amethyst, lapis, onyx, rose quartz, garnets, mother-of-pearl, cornelian, blue topaz, periodot, and citron. Another case features jewelry made from natural stones cut without facets into cabochons.

There is also an eclectic assortment of purses, ranging from $4 for children’s purses to $40, with most about $20. Other accessories and gifts are planned.

Shari Rucinski moved to town with her husband Edward two years ago from Minnesota when he was transferred back to Dictaphone’s corporate headquarters. The couple’s children are Miranda, 16, who is a junior at Newtown High School; Rich, 14, a freshman; Max, 8, and Pia, 5, whom they adopted from Cambodia.

Barbara and Andy Bouton’s children are Ashley, who celebrated her 17th birthday on Thanksgiving; Laura, almost 16; Andrew, 8, and Matthew, 8.

“Our husbands and families are very supportive,” Ms Bouton said. “We couldn’t do this without them.”

Silver Lining Etc, 71 South Main Street, is open Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from 10 to 5; Thursday from 10 to 7, and Sunday from noon to 6. Major credit cards are accepted. For more information call 270-7458.