Unique boutique: Twin sisters offer something for everyone at iMeraki
By AMY ROGNLIE | Photos by REBECCA BACHTEL
“At iMeraki, we believe clothing should empower people to live their best lives in comfort while still being an expression of who they are. Our clothes are of the highest quality and yet completely functional and wearable in everyday life,” says co-owner Jessica Shelton.
The iMeraki boutique in downtown Belton, owned and operated by Jessica and her twin, Jamie Davenport, has something for everyone. “We traveled around the world to find unique items,” explains Jessica. “Even our name is unique.”
Pronounced as eye-Mer-rah-Key, the name comes from the Greek word meraki, which means to put the best part of yourself in your work with passion and creativity. “We fell in love with this word and made it our own by placing an extra “i” in front of the word meraki to symbolize twin sisters in business.”
“Ever since we were kids, we’ve had a passion for unique fashion,” Jessica, a Belton High School graduate, recalls. “I remember us feeling nervous walking into school one day wearing pants we had designed the night before, worried that the other kids would make fun of us. But we were able to express ourselves in a creative way and our friends loved the pants. I believe this is when our journey began, that maybe one day we would own a fashionable clothing store together. We hope to one day complete our dream by designing and selling our own clothing line.”
The sisters opened their store May 2019 next to My Giving Tree Gift Shop & Gallery owned by their mom, longtime Belton businesswoman Leila Valchar, whom they credit as their inspiration.
“We like to tell our customers that we are two great stores at one location. We all enjoy working together as a family, where one is weak the other is stronger. Our mom gives us guidance and encourages us when we are feeling defeated. We are blessed to have each other, especially during these hard times.”
The iMeraki twins spread the love to their customers, too. “We give all our customers gifts as an appreciation for shopping small — an eggshell flower to grow to thank them for helping us grow. When you walk into our store, we are letting you into our hearts and when you leave you take a piece of iMeraki with you,” Jessica says, smiling.
The sisters’ pride and joy is their line of men’s clothing by Vincent D’Amerique, a well-known Canadian designer. iMeraki is the first and largest retailer in the United States to that sell this brand. “Our women’s clothing is also unique,” Jamie points out. “We feature Frank Lyman, another Canadian designer who is internationally known for his undeniable impact on women’s fashion. Some pieces are reversible and perfect for travel and appeal to a wide range of customers from professional to casual, young to mature.”
Besides clothing and gifts from Canada, Turkey, Bangladesh and the Philippines, iMeraki carries handcrafted jewelry, clothing and other distinctive items from local sources. “We love to support other sisters in business,” Jessica says, indicating the Raising Arrows line of clothing from some sisters in Dallas and Brenda Grands jewelry crafted by sisters in Houston.
The twin businesswomen are also heavily involved in the local community as officers of the Downtown Belton Business Alliance. The two recently created the iMeraki Giving Back program, in which they will be picking up trash around town. They also offer a store discount to all frontline workers — police, military and teachers as well as students. “We are grateful for the support of the community,” Jamie adds. “We love our town.” And apparently, the community returns the love, recently voting iMeraki as Best Menswear store in the Belton Journal Reader’s Choice Awards for 2020.
You can visit iMeraki in downtown Belton at 121 N. East St. #A, or visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/shopimeraki/.
