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April Geeslin, center, stands with friends and her daughter, right, before cutting the ribbon at the Apple & Lo Boutique location. (CAREY REEDER | ADVERTISER)

The boutique part of the new location for the Apple & Lo Boutique. (CAREY REEDER | ADVERTISER)

The beauty bar in the back of the new location for the Apple & Lo Boutique. (CAREY REEDER | ADVERTISER)

Some of the items available at the Apple & Lo Boutique. (CAREY REEDER | ADVERTISER)

The moment Geeslin cut the ribbon at the new Apple & Lo Boutique location at 123 7th Street North. (CAREY REEDER | ADVERTISER)

The store front of the new location for the Apple & Lo Boutique. (CAREY REEDER | ADVERTISER)

By Carey Reeder | Staff Writer

Apple & Lo Boutique is enjoying its downtown Clanton location.

The boutique was previously located in Jemison but moved to 213 7th Street North last year.

The new Apple & Lo building features a colorful boutique in the front with dresses, shoes, jewelry and accessories. In the back, there is a beauty bar with a full-service salon where customers can get their hair and makeup done or get a facial.

A ribbon cutting ceremony was held to celebrate the businesses new location on May 3.

“It was awesome to be supported by the city and other business owners, and our friends and family,” Apple & Lo owner April Geeslin said. “I’m overwhelmed by the support we have gotten locally.”

Prior to the relocation, Geeslin had searched for a new location for a few months. At first, she thought the new location was too big and was overwhelmed at the size of it. The search continued, and Geeslin was close to signing a lease in another city.

Then, she told her daughter, Lauren, she wanted to take a look at the Clanton building one more time. That trip was all it took.

“When I left, I knew this was where we needed to be,” Geeslin said. “I knew we would embrace how big the building is, but I feel like this is where we need to be.”

The building was remodeled and all the flooring, walls and some of the ceiling was taken out. What was left was a plaster wall over the original brick wall on the left side of the building. Some of the plaster was chipped away and revealed the original brick the building was built with.

“I love how it is broken up,” Geeslin said.

Another original brick wall is in the beauty bar at the back of the building. The brick is full exposed and they have never been painted over. A wooden sliding door is also in the beauty bar. The door had been wrapped in a thin metal, but that was removed during the remodeling process to reveal the original wooden door.

“The building is becoming home,” Geeslin said. “I like the small town feel of (Clanton), and I like the downtown part of it. We have loved it, and everyone has been really supportive. It has been a great experience.”

Gesslin’s nephews call her “Apple,” and Lauren’s initials are L.O., which is where the name for the boutique came from. Lauren is a crucial part of the mother-daughter duo. While Geeslin takes care of the face-to-face things, Lauren keeps the website and social media profiles up to date. She also does some marketing for the boutique.

“I love working with her and that we get to stay close and do this together. She likes to be behind the scenes,” Geeslin said. “She said I have to be the face, and she will do all the behind the scenes stuff. I could not do it without her for sure.”

Geeslin said Apple & Lo are trying to expand their clothing lines to have something for all genders, sizes and children by Christmas time.

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