By EMILY SPARACINO / Staff Writer

CHELSEA – Extra space at The Ditsy Daisy Boutique’s new location in Chelsea came in handy on Sept. 1 as customers poured in to shop during a grand opening event.

Mother and daughter duo Michelle Butts and Cindy Parnell, co-owners of the boutique, were pleased with the turnout for their first day in a new, 2,600-square-foot location across from Walgreens off U.S. 280, just down the road from the boutique’s original location.

“I’m really excited,” Butts said during a brief break from working the cash register. “This is what we hoped for.”

Butts and Parnell started The Ditsy Daisy nearly four years ago, and with its success came the realization that more than 1,000 square feet of floor space was necessary.

“It’s just going to help us function a lot easier,” Parnell said. “We’re tickled. We were on top of one another.”

The new location harbors enough space for a back room, where staff can sort through merchandise.

Butts said she also likes having a larger parking lot to hold outdoor events like the grand opening event, which featured a live DJ and refreshments from Steel City Pops.

As music pulsed from speakers outside, dozens of adults and children browsed through racks of clothing and tables filled with jewelry and gifts inside the shop.

“It’s awesome, and they always have things that are trendy and new,” Sylacauga resident Jessica Edwards said. “There’s something for everybody.”

Mary Michael Thames of Vestavia said she comes to the shop regularly to restock her wardrobe.

“I love the new location because it’s a lot bigger,” Thames said. “All of my clothes are pretty much from here.”

The boutique will begin carrying a “tween” line of clothing in December geared toward younger girls.

The Ditsy Daisy is now located at 16383 U.S. 280 in Chelsea.

Store hours are Monday-Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Ditsy Daisy is on Facebook and Instagram.

A website for online sales will launch soon, Butts said.

After a 10-week process to prepare the new space to open, Butts and Parnell were grateful for the support they had received from customers in Chelsea and the surrounding area.

“It’s been a great turnout,” Parnell said. “Everybody’s loving the new look, the new space.”

“I love it,” Butts added. “It’s a lot of fun.”