05/20/2025
Downtown Business Spotlight
A New Chapter at Golden Girls Boutique
A new season has begun at Golden Girls Boutique — one built on friendship, community, and personal style. Longtime local Joy has taken the reins, and she’s no stranger to Smithville. Originally from Groves, Joy moved here in 2012 with her husband and quickly found her home in the people and spirit of this town.
“The community brought me here — and kept me here,” Joy says.
The transition to ownership was personal. Joy and the boutique’s founder, Tootsie, are longtime friends. “Tootsie and I are besties forever,” Joy laughs. “This place always felt like a special part of downtown. When she asked me to take it on, it was a no-brainer. It was an honor.”
Now Joy is putting her stamp on the boutique while keeping its heart intact. She’s adding a men’s section, continuing popular traditions like the summer fashion show, and quietly working on a few surprises. “It’s all about creating a space where people feel like they belong,” she says.
To understand how much Joy brings to Golden Girls, we turned to those who know her best:
“When the Golden Girls owners retired, Joy took over, pouring her vision into every detail. The shop now sings with her style — vibrant, thoughtful, welcoming. Yet she remains the same: quick to help, eager to join town events, and gifted at making everyone feel seen. Her store is more than a shop; it’s a gathering place, a reflection of her generosity and flair. Through her heart and eye for beauty, she’s woven herself — and her boutique — into the fabric of our town.”
And from her husband:
“After 29 years of marriage and a lifetime of watching her light up every room with her style, grace, and relentless work ethic, I knew there was never a doubt that she was meant for this. When the opportunity came for my wife to buy Golden Girls Boutique, it wasn’t just a new chapter — it was the perfect one. Her passion for fashion has always been a part of who she is, and now she gets to share that with the world every single day. Thirty years ago, she was the best investment I ever made. Taking this adventure with her now doesn’t just make sense — it feels like destiny.”
As Joy says, “Come see me. Spread the word. Your encouragement means everything. It’s what keeps me going through the ups and downs and helps me honor what Tootsie created.”