Tracy Moss

The Haven Boutique

6 State Of Mind St, Bluffton, SC 29910 (843) 707-9198

Walk into The Haven Boutique in Old Town Bluffton and you’ll likely be struck by the way each piece in the curated collection of clothing and jewelry seems to be part of a greater whole. It’s denim, its laid-back, but it’s also undeniably stylish. And should you choose to compliment the owner on the singularly stylish way it’s all presented, don’t be surprised if you are greeted with a double take.

“It’s happened a few times where someone asks, ‘Is the owner in?’ and I have to remind myself ‘Oh gosh, that’s me,’” said owner Tracy Moss with a laugh. “I still can’t believe I own this. It’s been amazing.” certain purposes. But, in 2023, most people don’t buy a Border Collie to herd sheep or a bird dog to retrieve waterfowl. Most owners need to learn how to recreate their dog’s purpose,” Douglas said. “I go to two to three seminars a year studying ways we can train dogs so we can allow them the freedom to be dogs. I really try to provide dogs with opportunities to be as natural as they possibly can, while also being there to guide them.”

Understanding the owner’s needs is a bit more complicated. For that, Douglas requires the owner to be an active participant in the training. “It’s a team effort. I provide the owners with the tools and teach them how to use them. The owners then must implement those tools. Training, supporting, and helping owners problem-solve is probably 90 percent of what I do,” she said. From the schoolyard to the dog park, Ashley Douglas has shown that anything on two legs or four can be trained, and she enjoys every minute of it.

Even after four years in business, owning The Haven Boutique is a dream come true for Moss, who began her retail career while in college. That first job established a love of fashion that shines through in The Haven’s collection, but it was later tenures at some of the Lowcountry’s most renowned boutiques where she developed a deep knowledge of retail and of what lines simply work.

“I have a great denim jacket and pair of jeans that are boot cropped, and everyone in Bluffton has this outfit,” she said, adding with a laugh, “We call it the uniform.”

Her time working with shops that defined Lowcountry fashion gave Moss access to decades of retail experience (as well as a lead on Wilt, a T-shirt line that has developed a huge following at the store). “I have a lot of smart people who help me,” she said. “I know how to merchandise, and I know what looks good. From there, it’s just about surrounding myself with smart people.”