2422 Broadway, Lubbock, Texas, (806) 741-1870, Open Monday-Saturday 10-7, http://www.shoptcellis.com
Fabulousness….
Have you ever walked into a store and just knew it felt like home? That’s how I feel when I walk into T.C. Ellis. From the industrial meets art gallery décor to the just off the runway fashion, I just can’t get enough. I’ve been seeing the kimono jacket all over the Fall Fashion Week runway shows and finally found one in her store and on her website. Of course I bought the black. Last week I spoke with the owner and fashion bohemian Tahnee Elliott about her store and her family.
How many years have you been in Lubbock? Tell me a little about your background and your family.
“ I was born in Roswell, New Mexico to a very supportive, nurturing, religious, and loving mother and father. My parents are very hard workers, unconditionally love each of their children, and encouraged each of their children to reach for the stars. They never let us give up and constantly told us we were “the best”. That being said, I truly believe your siblings mold and shape your personality more than anyone in your life. My younger brother, Ryder, and my younger sister, Lacy, and I are all very close in age which allowed us to be the best of friends. We were all very involved in sports growing up which lent itself to leadership qualities in all three of us. Ryder is a nationally recognized artist, Lacy has started her own business selling demographic packages to city chamber’s across the mid-west, and I started a clothing boutique. We are all now successful in our fields because we learned to work as a team, lead our team while being humble, lead by example, and a general ability to get along well with almost every personality type.
When we were young my mother would have art camp at our house during the summer. We all loved art camp and loved creating, I learned about color at a very young age. My mother and I would change the color of my room and rearrange it almost every year while my brother and sister loved drawing. Of course, mom, Lacy, and I loved shopping! Mom, being an artist, would show us how to combine colors to make eclectic outfits with ordinary pieces. This is when my love for fashion, as an art, developed. She is so amazing at creating outfits, I still look to her for my fashion trends.
I have lived in Lubbock since my senior year in high school, 1994. We moved to Lubbock from Roswell New Mexico to attend Lubbock Christian High School. Talk about a shock! My entire life I lived in a very low socio economic town with 450 in my graduating class then I moved to a city with an Olive Garden (that was a big deal in the 90’s!) and 35 in my graduating class. I remember going to the first day of school and thinking, “Oh! I guess I need to start wearing make-up”.
What inspired you to open a boutique here?
“As I said before, I was very involved in sports and managed to get a full scholarship to Lubbock Christian University in volleyball. Trying to graduate in four years so my scholarship wouldn’t run out, I decided to get my bachelor’s degree in science. I met my husband, Chad, while attending LCU at the age of 21. We married mid-semester in December after dating 8 months.
Chad was coaching basketball at Cooper High when my mother opened an art gallery in the Depot District in 2000. The space was on Buddy Holly and had 3500 square feet. One day I was helping her paint when she asked me if I would like to open a business in the space and split the rent. I had always wanted to open a clothing boutique, what 23 year old girl wouldn’t? I set to work researching at least two weeks, for eight hours a day, before I made a decision. After all the research was complete, and not so encouraging, I knew I wanted to take this leap.
In August of 2000 we opened the doors and TC Elli’s became my art and a way of expressing myself. I have always compared TC Elli’s to a growing baby. At first it needed so much coddling and attention, then it went through growing pains, next it started running, and now it is a teenager ready to do it’s own thing. It is gaining its own personality through the customers.”
Mulan Jacket in Black
$45.00
The Kimono Jacket fresh off the runway for Fall and Spring.
What is your background before you opened the store?
“This is so embarrassing but I did not have one iota of experience in business nor retail when I opened the store. Looking back, this was ridiculous! But I do believe you can start any business with strong work ethics, leadership skills, and a little luck.
What are the origins of the name, T.C. Ellis?
“ I read somewhere that most people who open their first business usually name their business after themselves. “T” stands for Tahnee, “C” stands for Chad, our last name is Elliott so we just shortened it and put an apostrophe in it to show ownership”.
Your store is so gorgeous and reflects such and Americana meets luxury brand of chic? What inspires you in styling the store and choosing product for it?
“ I take all my inspiration from Ryder’s art and my mother’s ideas on design and color. They have both helped me tremendously with all the design aspects, which we add to or change up at least twice a year.
As for the product, from day one at TC Elli’s I decided to let the customer decide what clothing we carry. TC Elli’s isn’t about me, it is an organic being that seems to expand and grow as our customers choose what they want. All we do is listen”.
What types if customers shop at TC Ellis?
“Our main demographic is 16-30 year old females. Now, I am out of this demographic and still wear all the clothes. Honestly, there is something for every woman”.
How do you keep up with current trends?
“My husband, 11 year old daughter, 8 year old son and I travel extensively. We homeschool the kids to travel the world. I snag a lot of ideas and trends from visiting boutiques all over the country”.
How can customers access you online?
shoptcellis.com
facebook.com/pages/TC-Ellis
twitter.com/TC_ELLIS
instagram.com/tc_ellis#
What are your most popular brands?
“Since the recession hit, we found our customers really wanted lower prices on the clothing. We did just that and started ordering directly from Los Angeles to cut out the “middle man” in the Dallas, Vegas, and NY show rooms. This has allowed us to lower our prices significantly. We sell tons of jewelry and we all love the brand Audry 3+1!”
What will new customers that have never been in TC Ellis expect when they walk in?
“Expect an eclectic atmosphere with great accessories and clothing at lovable prices. Everywhere you turn there is art or small items to catch your eye. It is a hodgepodge of creativity”.
Mulan Jacket in Pink
$45.00
The Kimono Jacket fresh off the runway for Fall and Spring.
The Elliott Family
Love….
LubbockFashionBlog 