By Kate Hill
Staff Writer
Earlier this month, Laurie Hunt, of Lillie Bean boutique in Cazenovia, sold her business to Cazenovia College graduate Esther Parsons.
Hunt opened Lillie Bean 13 years ago after moving back to Cazenovia from Florida.
“I saw a need in the community for a boutique that offered women’s wear, kids clothing, and gifts,” said Hunt. “It has [since] evolved into the shop it is today, as my customers dictate the style and focus of our merchandise . . . Lillie Bean has [allowed] me to meet some incredible people, who have become my dearest friends. It has been a great experience to watch babies grow, to engage in people’s lives, and to give back to a community that has served me well. I’m very grateful for the opportunity and the success.”
Parsons holds a bachelor of professional studies in business with a specialization in fashion merchandising from Cazenovia College.
While completing her degree, she worked and interned at Lillie Bean.
During her internship, Parsons was familiarized with the different facets of running a small business.
Following graduation in December 2016, she accepted a fulltime position at Urban Outfitters in Syracuse. She also spent time working in family home care.
Parsons reconnected with Hunt in 2019 while she and her husband where searching for a house in the Cazenovia area.
“We talked about her kind of wanting to be done and wanting to have some more free time on her hands,” Parsons said. “With me being younger and having my degree, [the business] was something that I could jump fully into and have the time to spend working at the store and doing the buying and traveling and all that . . . It’s been in the works since last fall.”
The sale was finalized on Aug. 12.
“I guess when an opportunity knocks, and you know who the person is, their work ethic, and enthusiasm, you have [an easier time] letting go of something you worked so hard to create,” Hunt said.
To facilitate the transition, Hunt is staying on three days a week to train Parsons and re-introduce her to the community.
“Our plan right now is to have her stay on for about six months and just kind of take it day by day and see [where we are at],” Parsons explained. “She’s going to go to the shows and do the buying with me and really be my mentor.”
Parsons hopes to eventually bring in more clothing options for college students while maintaining the boutique’s current brands and aesthetic.
“Since I went to college here, I know that places where students can buy clothes are kind of missing around this area,” she said. “Eventually, I would also love to go online, which would probably make [the shop] more accessible to college students as well.”
Lillie Bean is located at 57 Albany St.
For more information, call 315-655-0677 or visit the LillieBean inc. Facebook page.
