COOL JOBS: Mimosa Boutique – Lauren Monroe Celebrates 15 Years in Business

by Kerri Cook

Boutiques come and go in Lake Charles, but Mimosa Boutique is one of the few that has found longevity in the city. 

Known for its stylish and fun pieces, Mimosa is the go-to clothing store for local fashionistas. Having recently celebrated its 15th anniversary, Lauren Monroe, owner of Mimosa, details what it’s like to curate clothing for locals.  

“I purchased Mimosa Boutique in 2010,” Monroe says. “I wanted to create a place for women of Lake Charles to shop some of their favorite brands locally.” Originally opened in a smaller space on Ernest Street, as the business grew and the brand identity evolved, Monroe moved Mimosa into its current location at 3125 Ernest St., which exudes girly vibes with lots of pink décor and ambient lighting. 

A large part of the job as owner is to attend market shows and choose merchandise which will sell to the appropriate audience here in SWLA. “Buying is a huge piece of owning a retail store,” Monroe says. “Our inventory levels can make or break us. I have to buy just enough to have a selection but not too much that inventory won’t sell. I have to know what styles Lake Charles customers will like and I also think about price points and fit on each piece.” While on buying trips, Monroe emphasizes that a very cool aspect of the process is the ability to see what large brands are showing and how it effects the selection boutique brands provide.  

This is the same concept that Miranda Priestly mentions in the movie The Devil Wears Prada when she says, “. . . that sweater is not just blue, it’s not turquoise, it’s not lapis, it’s actually cerulean. You’re also blithely unaware of the fact that, in 2002, Oscar de la Renta did a collection of cerulean gowns, and then I think it was Yves Saint Laurent, wasn’t it? . . . who showed cerulean military jackets . . . . And then cerulean quickly showed up in the collections of eight different designers. Then it filtered down through the department stores . . . .” 

Just as cerulean was a trend in 2002, so another trend pops up every year. For example, in 2025, two popular colors are butter yellow and chocolate brown, and an unexpected print Monroe says is “everywhere” is animal print. And, of course, the transition from skinny jeans to wide leg jeans has been visible over the last couple years. “It’s fun to show customers ways they can ease into a scary trend with confidence,” Monroe says. 

Once merchandise is ordered, Mimosa employees enter the order in their system. When the shipment arrives at the store, they unpack the goodies, print price tags, tag items, take photos and add details for each item on their website and post on social media. An email also goes out to subscribers. 

Monroe considers her work as her ministry to both her customers and employees. “I am so proud to still be here and so thankful the Lord has blessed us for so many years. My Mimosa girls keep me young! It’s so fun to develop and grow the younger generation. This job gives me the flexibility I want with three kids, and I have a great team and couldn’t do any of this without them.”