As the state braces for Florence, a new Ellicott City business is bracing for opening weekend. The owner of Sayre's Eden Boutique, Jenn Skarda, says she fell in love with Ellicott City, seeing the town before the catastrophic flooding.
"My investment is here because my heart is here," Skarda said.
She's one of the first new stores to open up on Main St. since the catastrophic flooding. She wants to be part of the town's revitalization but watching the weather forecasts for her grand opening this weekend has been scary.
"I can understand why some don't want to come back. I can. It's terrifying. I mean I'm concerned about Florence you know. I'm already thinking about what to do with my inventory downstairs," Skarda said.
She moved into town in January so she saw the town at its worst, but she's also seen it at its best, and that's why she believes it's a risk worth taking.
"You have to take a risk in your passion and you have to take a risk in the place where you believe will thrive and I truly believe this place will thrive once the businesses get back up and running," Skarda said.
She hopes her story will inspire others to follow their dreams and says maybe her store opening will have a ripple affect on the rest of the town.
"If I'm willing to do this, let's see how many others are willing to do this. It takes one person to make the risk and if they thrive, everyone else will say, 'Hey, well she's doing good. What can we do?'" Skarda said
It's her first brick and mortar store and it's named after her two daughters. The ribbon cutting is Friday morning and her first official day open in Saturday. She is located at 8249 Main St.
