JLD.esigns | Fashion Boutiques
Located in the Westboro Mart shopping center, JLD.esigns Boutique is bringing high-end women’s fashion and home décor to Topeka. The venture, named after owners Jo Davis Meitner, Lanelle Dinkel and Danielle Byers, became a reality after a whirlwind three-week setup in October 2024.
All three women were born and raised in Topeka and have backgrounds in sales and marketing. After noticing a lack of local retail options for a more elevated clothes-shopping experience, they saw an opportunity and got to work — fast.
“We talked about what was missing in the local retail scene and once we had the idea, it took off quickly,” Jo said. “We knew what we wanted it to look and feel like, and we just went for it.”
Having known each other for years, Jo, Lanelle and Danielle were confident that opening a fashion boutique was a dream worth pursuing together. It felt like a natural extension of their friendship, as well as their collective talents and strengths.
“We all knew each other in one regard or another before the store opened. I have known Lanelle and Danielle separately for many years,” Jo said. “Topeka is a smaller town, and it is common to know many people. You don’t know how you know them, you just do! If you are a local, you understand what I mean.”
The trio found a perfect location for their boutique at Westboro Shopping Center, then immediately started working toward an opening date so they would be up and running before the holiday season.
Preparing their new retail space meant long days, late nights and a lot of elbow grease. Before they knew it, they were curating clothes and furniture pieces that matched their vision and felt right for the residents of Topeka. The end result of that hard work was worth it, they say, as they now run a clothing and home décor boutique that feels as polished as it does welcoming.
JLD offers a selection of high-quality, handpicked pieces in what the owners describe as a calm, inviting atmosphere where customers are encouraged to take their time, try new things and hopefully discover something they didn’t even know they were looking for.
They carry women’s clothing in a range of sizes and styles, from business wear and casual staples to the occasional formal gown. JLD also offers a rotating selection of home décor, accessories and giftable finds.
“The home décor we offer includes candles, towels, coffee table books and more. We want them to be more upscale,” Jo said. “The candles we offer are a luxurious experience. They burn evenly, last a very long time and have amazing fragrance. All of our options are high end and you are not going to find them anywhere else in Topeka. We want our selection to feel special and premium for our customers. We want every purchase in our store to feel special, not just something you could grab anywhere else.”
For Jo, Lanelle and Danielle, running a boutique is about more than what’s on the racks. They’re intentional about their inventory, selling many pieces that are either rare or limited run.
“We really love the buying process,” Jo said. “Finding those pieces that feel special, the ones you know your customers will be excited about, is such a fun part of the job. But the best part is connecting with people and helping them find something that makes them feel good. That never gets old.”
Thankfully, the owners share a similar taste in clothing and home wares. Each of them brings their individual style to the mix, creating an intriguing but well-rounded collection.
“We all have a good eye for clothing. We talk each other through the picks when we are at market. We each bring our own perspective and are in different age ranges, so we can shop well for different age groups,” Jo said. “Danielle is very good at social media. She knows how to create inviting content. I do all the finances. Lanelle already has relationship-building skills from her previous job, so she handles all the buying and relationship management with our vendors.”
In the future, the JLD team plans to host private shopping events and offer personal styling. Their goal is to find new ways to connect with customers beyond the typical retail experience.
“There’s something really special about offering a more personal approach,” Danielle said. “We want this to be a place where people feel comfortable asking for help, trying things on and just enjoying the experience.”
Jo, Lanelle and Danielle are already involved in a number of local events and causes, including the local charity event Couture for Cancer. Each year, local boutiques, designers and supporters come together for a night of fashion, fundraising and celebration, all to benefit cancer-related causes. Models, often cancer survivors themselves, walk the runway in looks from Topeka retailers.
“The whole spirit of Couture for Cancer aligns with what we believe in,” Lanelle said. “It’s about helping people feel beautiful, strong and supported. That is exactly what we hope to do here every day.”
All three of JLD’s owners have families who live in the region, and they share a genuine investment in the people they serve. They say they want their boutique to reflect their personalities, values and connection to Topeka.
“It’s exciting to build something in the town you love,” Danielle said. “We’re so thankful for the people who have supported us from day one and we’re looking forward to growing with the community.
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