By MINDY KEPFIELD

Staff writer

A love of clothes, crafts, and comfy but classy home décor spurred enterprising sisters to fill a niche in the Main St. retail district with a chic boutique.

West Main Company, the brainchild of Megan Semer and Grace Overton, is one of few Main St. shops that offer clothing.

“We just knew Marion needed something like this and we were glad to be able to do it,” Semer said.

Semer said West Main spun out of a self-taught venture where she created and sold homemade, hand-lettered signs at area craft fairs including Art in the Park. The signs are also offered at West Main.

The two said they jumped at the chance to gut and remodel a space at 126 W. Main St. owned by their father, Arlie Overton, that formerly housed Flint Hills Clay Works.

“Since I was little I have wanted do something with clothes, because I have always been obsessed with clothes,” said Overton.

Semer said the pair threw themselves into the months-long project of picking the right vendors for West Main, which also offers plus size clothes, and the popular C.C. Beenie.

“We researched a lot. There were a lot of vendors that we researched,” Semer said. “It took a while. It is not easy to find.”

Customers on West Main’s social media page have praised their merchandise for its stylishness and affordable price.

The two are glad the shop has been well-received since it opened earlier this month, but admit they haven’t always seen eye-to-eye picking items for their store.

“I like modern, more stylish stuff, but I also like to make sure that it’s something a Mom would wear,” Semer said.

“I obviously wouldn’t wear crop tops or super tight stuff — she brings the younger side,” Semer said of her sister.

“I am definitely appropriate, but its probably more, like, teen, ‘teeny,’ young,” said Overton.

“Sometimes when we can’t agree on something we just don’t go with that at all,” Overton said.

But Overton and Semer said they were united in their vision of the homey but very elegant atmosphere they created for West Main — from the distressed shiplap walls to hand lettered chalkboard signs that will be repainted to suit the seasons.

A crystal chandelier hanging over the cash register was brought in from Overton’s bedroom for added glam.

The responsibility of running West Main has been a real life lesson for Overton, a senior at Marion High, where she is a cheerleader and an all-league team standout for Warriors softball.

“It’s a bit different having to come here every day and work every day until 6 p.m. toward the end of the week after school,” Overton said. “But it’s fun and I love doing it.”

Overton, who plans to earn a business degree in college, says the banking, finance, and economics classes she is taking in high school are helping get her ready for her aspired future — returning to Marion and expanding or running a shop of her own.

Semer said the two are both learning bookkeeping skills needed to manage their finances.

“We are splitting it up and trying to teach each other,” she said.

West Main is not the only venture on the horizon for Semer. She and her husband, Brandon, are getting ready to welcome their fourth child in May.