By Karen Bryant
‘When Meghan Butterfield opened her gift and apparel shop, The Radish Loft, in Gulfport’s Bayou View community in 2012, she was following a long-held dream.
“To have my own specialty boutique had always been my master plan,” she says. “I had the name and a business plan in my back pocket and trucked along the banking industry for nine years waiting for the perfect location to come. When it finally came, all my dreams came to life.”
The business opened as a gift shop, but Butterfield’s plan from the start was to expand into clothing, which she accomplished less than a year after opening. Now, she says, The Radish Loft is a one-stop style shop.
“You can find an outfit to wear and a gift to give all under the same roof,” Butterfield adds. “There’s truly something for everyone.”
When she added apparel to the shop, Butterfield brought to the boutique her own perspective on fashion.
“I think what is so interesting about style and fashion is that it is truly what you make of it,” she says. “It’s what you create. For example, a sweater can be hanging on a rack and be just a boxy-looking, sewn-fabric blob, but you can ‘zhuzh’ it up by giving it a front tuck to add some shape or push up the sleeves to elevate the look.”
For those keeping an eye on coming style trends, Butterfield says to expect to see lots of pastels and color, something she thinks people are ready for.
“People are ready to get ‘dressed’ again and ready to get out and about,” she says. “Loungewear is still a must-have, but it’s time to refresh those closets!”
Her clothing lines appeal to people in a wide age range and with all kinds of body shapes. While continually attracting such a diverse clientele might seem challenging, Butterfield says she enjoys accommodating many tastes and helping her customers achieve the looks they want.
“We try to please everyone,” she says. “We strive to keep our customers pleased and listen to their insight when doing our buying.”
She ensures her gift offerings have a wide appeal, too. The Radish Loft’s inventory includes three Mississippi-made pottery lines and a large selection of scented candles. She and her staff often create gift baskets for individuals and businesses, and, Butterfield notes, “We are always happy to ship.”
Located in the well-established neighborhood of Bayou View, the store has earned a loyal following among locals but also has fans across the United States and abroad. And that, Butterfield says, “makes our hearts smile!”
“I truly love helping people style their homes and themselves,” she says. “Wrapping those special gifts for people near and far will never get old.”
She says her customers have become like family, as “they’ve really supported us through the hard times.”
“My mission is to always make time for my community; they are the heart of my business and the future of our coast,” she adds. “In the last eight years, I’ve learned plenty and continue to learn every day. But the most important thing I have learned is to always be kind… everyone has a story. You never truly know your impact on someone. We are blessed beyond measure, and I cannot wait to see what the future holds.”
IF YOU GO
The Radish Loft
(228) 284-1668
76 48th St., Gulfport
Hours: Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.