After stepping away from retail more than a decade ago to focus on family, Kristen Ayers always knew she’d return to her dream. The White Cottage on Main was inspired by a vision she has carefully shaped over the years that blends retail with hospitality — offering visitors a unique experience in a welcoming setting. We reached out to her to discuss what motivated her to relaunch her business and what sets it apart from others here in Canton.
“What inspired you to reopen a boutique — and why here in Canton?”
I had a shop about 12 years ago, but I decided that I wanted to go home and be very present with my family. I knew that I wanted to do it again one day, so I put it on the shelf, and kept growing the idea bigger and bigger. I knew that when I did it again, I wanted to do it in a very specific way. I wanted it in a downtown area, in an old home with a big porch, and I wanted it to feel less like a retail space and more like you’re visiting your friend’s home.
I kind of prayed about it, and felt like, when it was time, the right thing would show itself. And the very next day, I went to lunch at Panera, and I saw a sign in the yard here, and I was like, Okay, it’s time.
A lot has changed since my first business. I had to start totally from scratch, but everything just worked out. I asked one of my very good friends, Emily Long, if she wanted to come in and help me, because she had always wanted to have a boutique, but she had a career, so she couldn’t be full-time here. But she and her husband were behind the scenes and helping.
“How has the Canton community supported you and your business?”
Kristen: We have become friends with several people. I love the girls at Ping Segars Salon and Revival Day Spa. A lot of business people working down here will take their lunch break and just stop in, even the sheriff’s department or police, they’ll peek in. I love that. I feel like our little town is kind of a family…