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4 minute read
Sleek Boutique
Lilly Pad Boutique Is Much More Than Just A Clothing Shop
You never get tired of the lake views. That is exactly what Keitha Kunkle and scores of other folks believe. That was one of the reasons that she purchased the building that now houses Lilly
“We came up with the name because there were several lily pads in front of the building,” Kunkle says. “There still are a
When the decision was made to buy the multi-use building in 2021, Kunkle had lots of ideas but nothing decisive. She wanted to open a business there but wasn’t sure which
Some of those ideas ranged from an ice cream shop to a restaurant to a bait shop and a ladies’ boutique.
“My choice was the boutique,” she says. “It’s so much fun meeting the ladies, and the fun of the lake traffic. In summer my customers can drive the boat to the shop. The husbands can sit on our large deck to be entertained while their wives
As a junior and senior in high school, Kunkle worked at a boutique to earn gas money and money to buy clothes. “I never planned on having my own boutique,” she says.
Kunkle moved to Rochester in 2015, to a lakeside cottage. Formerly a resident of Kokomo, she retired from Kokomo Gas & Fuel, and travelled a bit between Kokomo and Gold Canyon, Arizona. The Kunkles settled in Rochester and adopted the lake lifestyle, adding to the cottage and making it their permanent home in 2020.
After remodeling the exterior and the interior of her business, Kunkle has embraced the lake theme, both in the business decor as well as the merchandise she sells. Inside, a canoe and kayak serve as display pieces, along with oars, nets and minnow buckets.
“WE NEVER SEE A STRANGER WHEN YOU COME TO THE LILLY PAD. WE HAVE A FUN AND LAIDBACK ATMOSPHERE BECAUSE WE ARE ON A LAKE. WHERE ELSE CAN YOU HAVE A VIEW OF LAKE MANITOU THAN ON OUR DECK? YOU COULDN’T ASK FOR A BETTER LOCATION.”
“It does make you feel that you are at the lake,” she says. “It’s fun and casual.”
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That lakeside vibe is also present in the selection of Lake Manitou merchandise, like hoodies, crew-neck T-shirts and zipup sweatshirts. Other lake-themed merchandise includes hats, pillows, blankets, keychains, wine cups, beer mugs and cheese cutting boards.
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“One of our most popular items is the Lake Manitou sweatshirts,” Kunkle says. “My customers cater to anything that is about Lake manitou. There is a lot of history here.”
Kunkle also carries casual, work and special-occasion clothing for women. Clothing lines include Tribal, lula b., Orly, Picadilly, Escape, Lakegirl and Wild Palms, among other brands. Accessories include shoes, purses and jewelry. She also sells fragrances, including one made in Ireland called Inis.
Shoppers at the boutique include local people as well as out-oftowners.
“The community supports my boutique,” Kunkle says. “Without them, I wouldn’t be here.”
Summer, however, is the busiest time of the year for any lakeside business. Kunkle extends her hours in the summer to accommodate increased business, and adds some special events and opportunities on the outside deck.
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For example, she offers entertainment on the Fourth of July. Awakening Massage offers massage therapy by Shawn Henderson-Vigil at Lilly Pad. Yoga is offered at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday on the deck by Lindsay Barts.
In June she also expanded services. Customers can now rent pontoons, kayaks and paddleboards. Pontoon rentals start at $350 per day, and kayak and paddleboard rentals are $35 for two hours. Pier space is also available for rent during the season.
“I added these rentals because a lot of people don’t have the opportunity to enjoy Lake Manitou without investing in a boat,” Kunkle says. “This gives them the opportunity to come out and enjoy the fun on the lake.”
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To reserve a pontoon or kayak for a specific day and time, customers should call the boutique, make reservations and pay in advance, to make sure there is a rental available. To rent a pontoon, a driver’s license is required as well as the renter’s home insurance policy number for verification.
To rent a kayak or paddleboards, parents must sign for children who do not have a driver’s license, and small children must be accompanied by an adult older than 18 years of age.
In addition to Kunkle’s presence in the boutique, she relies on her part-time seasonal help to manage the influx of people to Lake Manitou in the summer. Employees Kimberlie Rand and Rhonda Holt have been there since the beginning, she says.
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“They love the Lilly Pad as much as I do,” Kunkle says. “They are both very special and have worked very hard.”
Kunkle strives to make sure anyone who visits her store feels welcome, almost like a part of the family. With entrances to the boutique located on the lake side or the street side, customers can find their way easily into the shop.
“We never see a stranger when you come to the Lilly Pad,” she says. “We have a fun and laid-back atmosphere because we are on a lake. Where else can you have a view of Lake Manitou than on our deck? You couldn’t ask for a better location.”
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There have been many changes since Kunkle opened her doors in November of 2021. She expanded the footprint of the boutique to three times its original size, added more services, and keeps updating the lines of products and clothing she offers.
“As of now I have extended myself and have no plans to add anything else,” she says. “But by next summer, well, you never know. “
Lilly Pad Boutique is located at 2317 East State Road 14 in Rochester. For more information, call 574-223-5459, or visit their Facebook page for the latest items and to keep up with other news. To reserve a pontoon, kayak or paddleboard, call 765-438-7912.
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