(Submitted photo/Megan Narehood) Mother-daughter team, Nancy Prevatt (right) and Kiley Prevatt (left), stand in front of their boutique Cottage Under the Oaks.

LaBelle residents have a new place to shop, drink coffee, and gather at Cottage Under the Oaks.

Nancy Prevatt managing director and Kiley Prevatt creative director worked together to open their boutique. They said their goal is to create an environment to encourage people to be like family, with local vendors, while creating a community.

“We want to be a cool hangout space where people can buy things that are different and unique,” said Kiley.

“Even people who aren’t vendors are part of our family and community,” said Kiley.

Nancy explained the freedom and flexibility of homeschooling allowed her family to start the business and allowed her children to become entrepreneurs.

“Being an entrepreneur, and seeing my children become entrepreneurs, makes me proud,” said Nancy.

They said the biggest challenge the pair faced was finding a location. After three locations fell through on them, Kelly Boone from LaBelle Downtown Revitalization Corporation connected the Prevatts with Marcos Ruiz. They rented their building from him.

“We met with Marcos and decided on the building,” said Nancy.

Nancy said that the best advice she can give for starting one’s own business is to pray about it.

“Go for it, do it, and pray about it,” said Nancy. “Social media presence is everything,” added Kiley.

Nancy said The Cottage features handpicked clothing and accessories for little boys and girls, women, and men. They also carry preteen girl sizes for girls between an extra-large girls’ size and a woman’s small.

“Having modest clothing is a big deal because it is hard to find,” said Nancy.

Shandy Anderson, a customer, said she loved the styles available.

“It’s a great collection. You must stop in and take a look,” said Shandy.

Men who visit can shop for themselves or look at the machines, including a lathe and drill press.

Products available from local vendors include: home décor and fragrance, pottery, bath and body, stained glass, chock paint, olive oil and balsamic vinegar, crochet, quilted items, and wreaths. Gift cards are available for purchase and registries are available, too.

“It’s an awesome place,” said customer Stephanie Sposato. “I love that they utilize local vendors, they are local, and family owned. There’s no competition in town.”

Nancy said they have limited product quantities available of their products and might not be able to order the same style or color, again.

“If you see something you like go ahead and get it, ” said Nancy.

The Cottage also offers various art classes, such as, chock painting, and painting to relieve stress.

Cottage Under the Oaks opened on November 17, 2018, located on 95 E Fort Thompson Avenue. Their phone number is (863) 517-4722.

Store hours are Monday-Saturday 9:00 a.m- 6:30 p.m.

To purchase select products go to www.cottageundertheoaks.com. You can follow Cottage Under the Oaks online at facebook.com/cottageundertheoaks, Pinterest at Cottage Under the Oaks, or Instagram at cottage_under_the_oaks.