Karen Newman
jokarmid@gmail.com

Excited shoppers filled the retail space known as Absolute Style Boutique, while owner, Erica Hilde alternately helped her customers, sorted newly arrived merchandise and answered interview questions. Located with several other businesses in a building at 901 Center Avenue in Moorhead, unique and stylish women’s clothing in sizes from XS to XXXL fill the racks of the artfully arranged store.
“I want customers to be able to buy women’s fashions locally again,” said Hilde who worked at the Moorhead Herberger’s store which is now closed. She credits her experience as an employee of Herberger’s for her decision to earn an undergraduate degree in apparel and textiles from NDSU. After a move to Minot, she earned a graduate degree in business administration from Minot State University. As a Moorhead native and graduate of Moorhead High School, Hilde was happy to return to return to her roots in a community that supports entrepreneurs. She emphasizes her desire to buy from female-owned businesses and designers. Many clever novelty t-shirts adorn the boutique’s shelves; one expresses her philosophy, “Empowered women empower women.”
Hilde purchased her business from two owners who provided women’s fashions through an at-home, online business platform. Erica expanded the business and now the Moorhead store serves as the main retail store and online headquarters for her inventory. Erica places curated collections of clothing, that she purchases and owns till they are sold, in shops that want to add fashion to their stores but don’t want to do the selection and purchasing.
In addition to the Moorhead shop, Absolute Style Boutique clothing is sold at Stella’s in Bismarck. The Foundry, located in Minot, carries her clothing. Hair with Care locations at New Perspective Senior Living and Eventide Sheyenne Crossings of West Fargo host her collections in the western metro. Online shopping is available at www.AbsoluteStyleBoutique.com. Current hours are Tuesdays and Thursdays from noon until 6 PM, Fridays from noon to 4 PM and Saturdays from 10 AM to 2 PM.