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“People come in because they need a break from reality. They need to feel some peace. They need to feel good for a moment.”

Erin Brown, co-owner of Peace Bee, a women’s boutique in the heart of downtown Corry, said there’s a reason people choose the store.

“You’re buying a lot more than just a brand,” she said.

Melissa Swartzfager, also known as Missy, has owned the store with Erin for three years now, and it’s safe to say that Peace Bee is their home away from home, too. Between clean lines, wooden finishes, and decor that toe the line of classic comfort and modern minimalism, Peace Bee aims to make everyone feel as welcome as possible.

The store has everything from casual wear to sundresses, blazers, accessories, and most importantly, friendship.

Erin leaned on a chair in the store and said, “We become friends with our customers.” Almost like clockwork, a shopper slid out of the dressing room and onto the sales floor, unprovoked.

“What do you think?” she asked equally as hesitant as she was excited.

Erin and Missy immediately pointed out the best parts of the outfit and assured her it was the right choice, then gave her some potential styling tips.

It’s like styling your sister, Erin explained, they’re going to be honest, but they have your best interest at heart and are always ready to jump in with an alternative.

“So many times, I might pick something for them that they would never pick for themselves,” Erin said. “Then they put it on, and they love it because a lot of these brands are made for bodies, not for hangers.”

Jill, who was now going home with a blue sundress sporting ruffle details, said the customer experience keeps her coming back.

“When I shop, I want honesty … in a nice, loving way,” she said. “Even if you didn’t find something you liked, or the dress you liked didn’t fit the way you thought it was going to, you don’t feel bad leaving the store. Most likely, you found something completely out of your element."

"And you rocked it,” Erin chimed in.

Quality of clothes is a top priority after customer experience. Erin and Missy believe that feeling comfortable in clothes is just as physical as emotional.

The duo goes to a market about three times each year to feel the fabric, look at the hemlines, and inspect products to ensure they're up to Peace Bee's standards before ordering the clothes. That does not mean the price tag is unattainable, though. Peace Bee has a variety of products for all ages of women, young to old, and for all budgets. They even have a clearance rack for those who want to get the most bang for their buck.

Erin said they happily welcome people in, even if it’s to help them accessorize an outfit or find a top to go with the skirt that’s been hanging in their closet for five years.

“I want people to feel super comfortable in their bodies. It’s ever-changing — we gain weight, we lose weight, we have babies, we snack, we have too much stress ... Our bodies are changing, and the clothes should make you feel better about yourself,” Erin reiterated.

A trend Erin and Missy noticed is that people often stop into the boutique to find something to wear for a specific occasion, whether for a wedding reception, a concert, a wine walk event, or something for an upcoming vacation.

Peace Bee tries to stock options that work interchangeably for those occasions so customers find the perfect outfit. At the same time, it's perfectly fine if the outfit's purpose is simply a confidence boost.

Jill, the buyer of the blue sundress who was headed back home, said she never feels like her purchase is something pushed onto her. Instead, it’s something she'll pull out when she wants a minute to herself.

“Even if I go home, mow my grass, take a shower, and put that dress on, I’m going to feel good,” she said. “Even if I’m not going anywhere.”

A common misconception, Erin noted, is that small towns like Corry take longer to see hot trends take root. With the advent of social media marketing and sharing, Peace Bee finds that trends are hitting the streets there just as fast as in major cities.

And with their active online presence, Peace Bee has gained a national following. Erin explained that residents often bring their visiting relatives and friends to the boutique, and the visitors get hooked.

Missy ships to almost all 50 states because shoppers from across the country see the unique value in Peace Bee. 

Shoppers from Erie, Warren, Jamestown, and other nearby cities regularly make the trip to Corry to visit the boutique.

But Erin said one of the most rewarding parts of the job is giving back to the community. They never turn down requests to donate for benefits or fundraisers. That way, when a resident shops at Peace Bee, they know their purchase is helping local efforts and sporting teams. Plus, Peace Bee uses its Facebook page to facilitate giveaways and keeps tabs on its shoppers. That way, Missy and Erin can send blessings and surprises to customers in times of need.

“Missy and I are just trying to make people happy. We’re not trying to get rich,” Erin said.

She said that whether a woman is a size 2 or 22, everybody has a part of their body that they don’t like, and while that’s disheartening, it has helped the duo realize that many women don’t see themselves the way others do — as real, beautiful women. So Peace Bee’s goal is to help every woman feel confident and comfortable in themselves, past buying stylish and quality clothes.

As the scripted font reads across the back wall of the boutique, you bee-long here!