A little over a year ago, every girl that lives in rural Western Illinois' dream came true. You might be asking yourself, what could that be? Target still hasn’t made its way to Macomb yet... Well, this lovely little boutique isn’t quite as big as Target, but the customer service you receive the moment you walk in the door will beat Target out of the running any day.

That little boutique’s name is Rural Bliss. The name Rural Bliss describes the store perfectly, a little piece of bliss tucked away on the square in rural Carthage, Illinois (just a 20 minute drive from Macomb). Not only is the boutique filled with the most adorable women’s and little girl's clothing, but the owner, Cortney, is expanding due to popular demand into little boys clothing as well. Before I tell you any more, let me tell you the story behind Rural Bliss because it’s pretty cute.

Cortney Harrison, a Colorado native, found her passion while attending graduate school in Texas. Her new found passion was helping each girl that comes into her store walk out feeling more confident than they did walking in. She followed her dream and opened her first boutique in Texas called "Cort House" but once Cortney met her now husband she knew she could not stay in Texas much longer and moved up to Carthage, Illinois and continued her dream. Although it’s never been easy, Cortney has made it work, and I might say, she is killing it. In just a little over a year, Cortney has taken the store statewide attending livestock shows across the country to promote her store. Shes made a fan base on Facebook and knew she needed to expand so this past summer she started up the Rural Bliss Website, all while still running the store with the help of all her awesome girls. Not very often do you find someone who is a photographer, dog mom to two, a wife, pig/grain farmer and an entrepreneur. Those qualities are what makes this store even more special.

When you walk into Cortney’s store, you are shopping local. When you shop local, you’re not only making a difference in your own community, but you’re also helping make someone's dream come true. I have always loved the saying, “when you shop local you are not helping a CEO buy his/her third house. You are helping a mom/dad buy their little girl dance lessons, or feed their family.” Shopping local to me means I am helping someone just like myself live out their dreams, one adorable pair of leggings at a time. Also, when shopping local the quality of customer service is second to none.

Rural Bliss’s customer service doesn’t just happen when you walk in the door. Cortney purchases each piece of inventory with her customers in mind, and you can tell by what she keeps in stock. Some of her top selling items would be her CC Beanies which only cost $15.00. Then her leggings, oh her leggings, they are to die for! Similar to ones you can find on the market for $25.00, Cortney only charges $10.00 for her leggings. Rural Bliss also takes into consideration that not everyone is a size 0-12, so she carries an abundance of plus size clothing as well.

If I haven't already sold you on checking out Rural Bliss, let me tell you a little bit more. Rural Bliss has some of the best prices I have ever seen from a boutique with such a selection! Also, with Rural Bliss being located in a smaller town, Cortney realizes that some people live very busy lives. So because of that, she keeps each of her customers up to date on everything going on through a private Facebook group. She goes live quite often giving each person watching a sneak peek of what just arrived from the delivery driver. Now I don't know about you, but Target doesn’t usually let me see the new items they’re putting out before it's on the shelves. So yet again, showing the impeccable customer service.

Rural Bliss has made its appearance in Western Illinois, now it's time for you to make your appearance at the boutique. Come and see us anytime Monday-Friday 10-5:30.

Make sure to not empty your checkbook too much on Black Friday and come join us this Saturday November 26th, 2016 and participate in Shop Local Saturday. I promise you won’t regret it!