Photo by Diane Poole.
Emily Onofry of Anderson Ave Boutique
Emily Onofry is the owner of Anderson Ave Boutique in Trussville.
Q: Tell me the story behind Anderson Ave Boutique.
A: I opened up an online store while I was still in college. I actually went to the University of Alabama for a year and kind of flipped my major a few times. Then I came home in the summer and decided I really wanted to open a boutique. My mom and I worked hard to get a business license and learn about the industry, and we opened our online store in the summer of 2023. I switched to online college so I could do this full time, and after about a year online, we opened our brick-and-mortar store in June 2024.
Q: Why did you want to open a boutique in the first place?
A: When I was in high school, I always had my friends coming over wanting to try on clothes and borrow things for events they were going to. They would try things on, and I loved seeing how good they felt. I always got joy out of helping people find something they loved and seeing how it made them feel. That followed me to college, and I wanted to be able to do that for other girls.
Q: Where did the name Anderson Ave come from?
A: Anderson is my mom Katie’s maiden name. My grandfather had five sisters and was the only son, and then he had two girls, so the name kind of stopped with him. My grandparents have always shown such love and giving, and they love the Lord, and you feel that when you’re around them. I wanted my store to give off that same feeling of comfort and being welcoming. The Ave part is more like a street name, but the meaning is really in the Anderson name.
Q: What does being a local business owner in Trussville mean to you?
A: I moved to Trussville in sixth grade, and I was always involved in sports, leadership and church. When I left for college, I realized how important community was to me. Owning a business in Trussville makes me feel connected and gives me a way to give back. I really believe in community over competition, and I love supporting other local businesses.
Q: What advice would you give someone dreaming of opening a small business?
A: It’s a lot of commitment. Big stuff: finances, personnel, reputation. There’s no overnight success. Find someone in the industry you can share with and talk to. And hire a social media person.
