It had always been a dream of mine to own a formalwear shop. I have always been involved in the pageant world and really wanted to own my own formalwear store. Seven years ago, the Director of the Baldwyn Main Street, Mrs. Lori Tucker, approached me about possibly opening a pageant store in the downtown Baldwyn. It still feels like a dream, but now Queens’ Quarters has been in business for seven years!
Modeling professionally for the last 10 years and my love of fashion as a way of expression brought me to my next endeavor of Gypsy Jean Boutique. When presented with the opportunity to buy the boutique next door to my formalwear shop, it was like another dream come true! In February 2020, (right before the pandemic), Gypsy Jean opened, but we almost immediately had to close for a short time due to COVID 19. Now, we’re back and open to the public.
The boutique’s name Gypsy Jean comes from a long line of strong women, my mother Jeannine, my grandmother Emma Jeanne, my daughter Winry Jean, my mother in law Wanda Jean, and my middle name is Jeannine. I grew up in Baldwyn and my heart is here. I’m a member of First Baptist Church and a Graduate of Baldwyn Schools. My family still lives in Baldwyn and have always been active in the community, where my mother is a retired Baldwyn schoolteacher and my dad is a retired Baldwyn police officer. My parents have also owned several businesses in Baldwyn through the years. My roots are here and that is why it was so important to me for my businesses to be in Baldwyn. Being on the Historic Main Street is just icing on the cake. I have a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education with an emphasis in Reading/Language Arts from the University of Mississippi, and I taught Kindergarten for seven years in Tupelo Public Schools.
After having our daughter, my husband Keith and I decided that I would take a break from teaching and run the businesses so that my schedule could be more flexible for our daughter. I’ve always had so much support to follow my dreams, especially from my mother who has operated the businesses with me. We have the best time! “A small business makes a big difference on the community”, I am so thankful to have a place in Baldwyn. I love that no matter where I visit, there is no place that makes me feel like Baldwyn. I feel like I’m home in Baldwyn.
“We were rehabbing one of the buildings in the downtown when I thought of Andrea,” said Baldwyn Main Street Chamber Director, Lori Tucker. “It was a win-win situation. Andrea had the perfect resume with modeling and pageant experience. Hometown girl with a love for retail and fashion. We have loved watching the business grow and develop.”
For information on becoming a member of the Baldwyn Main Street Chamber, call 662-365-1050.
