By STEPHEN DAWKINS

Staff Writer

HOOVER – 3Generations Boutique owner Patricia Stoddard wants her business to inspire women.

The boutique’s name is meant to represent “past, present and future,” Stoddard said.

“We’re all in different stages in life,” she said. “Embrace yourself where you’re at. Love yourself that day.”

3Generations therefore offers clothes for a range of ages and sizes.

The boutique opened July 23 at 5510 U.S. 280 Suite 109 (in the Greystone Centre).

3Generations has joined the Hoover Area Chamber of Commerce, and Stoddard hopes to hold a ribbon cutting ceremony soon.

The reception so far has been “better than I could imagine,” Stoddard said, even though she has relied more on word of mouth and the boutique’s location than marketing efforts.

“I think a lot of people see us as they are driving by,” Stoddard said. “I’ve had a lot of people say they are glad there’s a boutique in the area.”

Stoddard is originally from Grand Ridge, Fla. and describes herself as a “farm girl” who prayed about her decision to open a boutique off U.S. 280 despite having no ties or familiarity with the area.

“I’m big on faith, and I saw myself fixing up this building,” she said. “God knows why I’m here, and hopefully he’ll continue to guide me.”

Clothes offered at the boutique are in sizes 0 to 3X for all ages, and Stoddard plans to add a girls line.

Stoddard’s 6-year-old daughter Alyssa wants to name the line “Know Your Style.”

Other future plans for the boutique include holding “fashion confessions,” where women would be encouraged to face fears about clothing they would not ordinarily wear.

Stoddard said participants could write their fears on a chalkboard in the boutique, or post on social media, and then be challenged to wear the item.

“Mine is shorts,” Stoddard said about her clothing fear. “I never wear shorts, but maybe next summer I’ll face that fear for a week.”

Stoddard said she would also like to start a “ladies lounge” where women could come into the boutique simply to sit and chat.

“We could talk about love or fashion—just come in and be yourself,” she said. “It’s a boutique, but it serves a bigger purpose.”

Other items and services available at the boutique include personalized T-shirts and homemade candles.

Store hours are 12:30-6:30 p.m. on Mondays, 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Tuesdays through Thursdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays.

Those interested can learn more about the boutique and see some of the clothes offered by visiting 3GenerationsBoutique.com or searching “@3gensb” on Facebook.