Stacy Dietz is the principal of two elementary schools in Ohio County, yet she still found time to partner with her mother, Janice, to open the Ditto Boutique on National Road in Wheeling.
Ditto is located at 1143 National Road in the Edgwood neighborhood of the Friendly City and opened in December 2018. From the first day to now, the shop is part consignment store and part retail outlet, a mix she has found to be very popular with her growing clientele.
“I was inspired to open Ditto because I have always loved fashion, and back when my Mom was retiring from being the City Clerk of Wheeling and when the building where the boutique currently is was first going up for sale, I decided to buy it and we started running the business together,” Dietz said. “My Mom helps run it two days per week, and other people work there, too.
“My husband, Gary, has been wonderfully supportive of the business,” she said. “I have also learned a lot from him.”
The store sells a variety of different clothing items including dresses, fashionable tops, bathing suits, shoes, pants, jewelry, and designer goods, and they also have a new jewelry section, as well. Items in the store range in price between $8-$35 dollars unless, of course, it is prom season. Those dresses are priced between $100-$150 range, but if the item is new with tags, the price will be a little higher than if previously worn.
“I saw the trend where consignment stores were an upscale thing, so I named the store Ditto because I love the play on words,” Dietz explained. “In the front part of the store is where the newer items are stocked and in the back two rooms are full of upscale resale items. If people want to come in and donate items to the store, it is by appointment only.
“My favorite motto is that ‘You Can Sleep When You’re Dead’. I manage my time by only sleeping 2 hours a night and then I’m working normally during the rest of the day,” she revealed. “I also enjoy spending a lot of time with my family and I drink a lot of coffee so that’s how I’m able to run a small business while also serving as the principal at two different elementary schools.”
Dietz said when she’s at Ditto, many people will sometimes walk in just to talk, and she loves having the opportunity to speak with people throughout the community.
“I even wear a lot of the clothes we sell at Ditto because I also shop there too,” the owner said. “I think the one thing that helps the boutique the most is that I am constantly posting on the store’s Facebook and Instagram accounts.
“There is a Beat the Clock event for spring and summer items at the beginning of May. There will be free giveaways and discounts and during the event,” Dietz said. “There will be a timer and any time it goes off, someone will win a Ditto beach towel.
Ditto Boutique is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m., on Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 4 pm., and on Sundays from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m.
