Have you ever seen an armadillo wearing a blonde wig, cowgirl hat, and jewelry? If not, you need to check out one of Bristow’s newest businesses: The Funky Armadillo.
Located on the northwest corner of the intersection at East 1st Avenue and Chestnut Street, The Funky Armadillo is as cute and quirky a little boutique as its name. Humble, soft-spoken, friendly, and fun-loving owner, Lora Seaton said she wanted “a fun, memorable name with a mascot” to represent her business, and she came up with a seemingly perfect one.
Drawn to the area by her sister, who owns her own business, Amy M. Hale, CPA, Lora expressed excitement and gratitude at being offered building space for her own boutique. For years, Lora has made car deodorizers through her company The Old Grey Mare Freshies. When her sister began utilizing the space at 225 East 1st Avenue in June of this year for her accounting business, she found she had significant unused space and offered it to her sister, affording Lora the opportunity to open her own boutique. Like her mascot the armadillo, she busily dug right in and got to work.
Although she opened The Funky Armadillo in June, Lora has held off on holding a grand opening for her newest venture. Since the boutique’s soft opening, Lora has taken her wares to area fairs, where she notes she sold much of her inventory. However, she re- ceives weekly shipments to build up her stock again—in time for the holiday season. In fact, she spent Monday making more of her signature freshies, which she sells on Facebook, at fairs, wholesale to companies, and at The Funky Armadillo.
Speaking of her inventory, The Funky Armadillo offers an eclectic styling of wares with something for everyone. She sells shoes, boots, purses, diaper bags, bags, jewelry, belts, and other accessories, home décor, varied styles and sizes of apparel, The Old Grey Mare Freshies, graphic tees, children’s and baby apparel and other items, baby blankets, and aprons and other items sewn by a local artisan. She offers some made in America products and also plans on adding some uniquely fun items just in time for the holiday season.
As for doing business in Bristow, she enjoys the friendliness of the community and acceptance by its residents, shoppers, and fellow business owners. Her goal is for anyone to walk into the store and be able to choose something they enjoy whether its clothing, décor, accessories, or something else. Lora is also open to suggestions for wanted products that she may not yet offer. Lucky patrons may even meet her small, sweet dogs Vaquero and Juanita, who have been known to greet visitors eagerly and sweetly at the door.
The Funky Armadillo is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays. Also, keep your eyes and ears open for their upcoming Grand Opening, which Lora plans to announce soon on Facebook.
For more information, stop in the store during operational hours or check out her Facebook page and public group of the same name: “The Funky Armadillo”. Patrons may also submit questions by email to TheFunkyArmadillo@ yahoo. com.