By JANET STOICA

It’s refreshing to have a new retail outlet in the area that is willing to go the extra mile for its customers. This is what Amber Stewart’s goal is as proprietor of Water Lily by the lake, a unique women’s boutique in Webster. It’s okay to bring your children here. There’s a little cozy corner designated just for their imaginations while moms, grams, aunties, and young ladies shop the eclectic mix of new clothing Ms. Stewart has chosen for her clientele to browse through. Inventory changes weekly with new arrivals daily. How exciting!

 

A cause for celebration perhaps. There is something for all age groups from 20 years old to 90 years young. Casual clothing to office attire. It’s a calming and relaxing atmosphere from the mint-fresh walls to the soothing lighting effects blended with lots of natural illumination from the generous front windows. Friendly and unpretentious for sure. 

 

“Water Lily became a women’s boutique by chance but it has become so much more than that now,” says Ms. Stewart. “My husband Wayne and I bought this property as an investment with the intent of renting it out. One day I mentioned that this place would be a good spot for a boutique and here we are.”  Amber’s first passion, however, is teaching, which she has happily engaged in for the past fifteen years. She is a third-grade teacher at the Heritage School, part of the Dudley-Charlton Regional School District. “My first-grade teacher, Mrs. Day, made a lasting impression on me when I was a student in the Connecticut school system,” she said, “and I really enjoy my young and enthusiastic students today.” 

Amber’s husband, who owns his own plumbing business, and remodelers, played a large role in converting the building to its present state. The Stewarts make their home in Sutton and have two young sons aged nine and seven. There is a beautiful and peaceful pond on their residential property replete with flowering water lilies much like the local Webster Lake. Their visually calming effect is similar to the atmosphere here and, therefore, the name Water Lily symbolizes the store’s serenity but also some of its playfulness with many unique and one-of-a-kind gifts from facial masks and body lotions to coffee mugs inscribed with humorous expressions.

“We have a wide variety of new and fashionable clothing and products here for all ages,” said Ms. Stewart, “I didn’t want to cater to just one body size. We’re all different. We have all styles, all comfort levels, and all price points. Most items are in the $30-$40 range but additional items are lower and some higher in price. Our mix consists of casual, work clothes like dress slacks, dressy tops, sweatshirts, cardigans, lounge wear, even tee shirts and casual shoes. Our jewelry is a big seller. We have a natural deodorant line that is aluminum-free, called SmartyPits. The brand also donates to breast cancer research with the purchase of each product. There’s also another big seller and that’s the Dammit Doll...um...darn it. A whimsical take-off on the stress ball of yore. These 12-inch soft and whack-able dolls are used to take out your frustrations on anything nearby when you’re frustrated. Just grab it and start whacking, dammit.”

There are candles, bath bombs, gel facial relaxers, scrunchies, and headbands. Cute shatter-proof stemless wine goblets, handbags, purses, and their best-selling comfy blankets suitable for those cooler nights when you need an extra coverlet. Their size is excellent too spanning 50” x 80” instead of the usual 50” x 60” dimensions. One unique product line Water Lily offers is Jomanda. Imported from England, these baby soothers are small, softer than soft plush mini-blankets of sorts with a baby lamb attachment. Babies will find them to be just their size to grab, hold, and cuddle with.  Of course, gift cards are always available and never go out of style. With the holidays fast approaching, gift wrapping will soon be available as well.

You can’t miss their building on Thompson Road in Webster. A beautiful water lily mural covers the entire length of their building. Stunning!

Water Lily by the lake, 195 Thompson Road, Webster MA 01570. Phone: (508) 461-7444. On Instagram and Facebook: @waterlilywebster.  Email: [email protected]  Hours: Mon/Tues Closed; Wed-Sat 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.  

Contact Janet:  [email protected]