The fifth annual “Boutique Blowout” was on Oct. 20 at the Crowne Plaza, hosting over 30 vendors that sold a range of items from athletic wear to formal dresses. 

The event ran from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., with special VIP entrance at 9 a.m. for $20. Everything was organized by Jennifer Gomez, who’s been involved since the event started and took over everything this year. She said that the main goal of the blowout is to help local businesses clear out their shelves before they get new inventory for the changing seasons. 

“There’s a line of people waiting to get in at the beginning because they know that there are no sales like this anywhere else,” Gomez said. 

Vendors come from everywhere in the South, including Baton Rouge, New Orleans, the North Shore, Mississippi and even Texas. Gomez said that these businesses usually like coming back because they build a community of boutique owners that connect through this space. The possibilities are endless with clothes for kids, men and women, along with jewelry and accessories for everyone. Sizes range from an XS to plus size.

“This event is really for everybody, so it’s really great for the whole family to come,” Gomez said. 

Fab Boutique started in 2013 and relaunched in 2020, and the business has been part of the Boutique Blowout for the past four years. Owner Shanrika Dangerfield said that what she sells gives off a unique vibe, and she mentions on her website that her vision is to create a “one-of-a-kind” shopping experience. Since being a part of this event, she said that it’s been the people that she’s met that keep bringing her back. 

Grace Lasseigne and her boutique, Shop The Kate, started attending the Boutique Blowout in 2023. Lasseigne said it was enough to bring her back. She originally came across the event on Instagram and liked the opportunity to sell items from past seasons. Lasseigne attends pop-up shops often as her business is an online storefront and said that there, she’s able to meet new faces. 

“I think I have a little bit of everything,” Lasseigne said. “I have styles from formal dresses, I have casual stuff, I have jeans. Come shop.” 

Lasseigne sold out of all of the jewelry she brought before the event was even over.

Professional home and office organizer Sara West and her business, South Coast Organizers, were there to assist shoppers who needed help organizing all of the clothes they purchased. West said she got involved with the event because she’s really good friends with Gomez, and she thought it would be a good audience for her business. 

“When you do these types of events and you own your own business, you end up meeting other business owners and making those connections. It’s always a good thing to see,” West said. 

The next Boutique Blowout is scheduled for March 23, 2025. For more information, check out their Instagram @shopbatonrouge.