This Saturday, the Polka Dot Divas celebrate five years in Occoquan, nearly two years after they moved from a smaller spot on Mill Street to their current, larger location next to Sugar Buzz.
"We've grown and learned more about listening to our customers," co-owner Julie Marshall said. "Business-wise, we're getting smarter, because Kristyn and I, we jump, and then say, 'Where's the parachute?'"
The past year has been a hard year for many merchants in town, with sequestration and furloughs.
"We're hoping to stay here and just see where it takes us, and see where the economy goes," Marshall said.
Marshall and co-owner Kristyn Gleason are both military spouses who became friends at the gym before they decided to open a business together. Since they were always needing gifts for military functions, they decided to open a gift shop. At first they started by building a website and doing craft shows, but then Gleason found a spot in Occoquan.
Gleason worked in town for the first two years while Marshall handled the books down in Hampton. Now Marshall has moved up as well.
The Divas love Occoquan, and wish more people shared in their love for the small town.
"We wish that there was more foot traffic, and that more people knew about how wonderful Occoquan is," Marshall said.
Drop by the Polka Dot Divas' informal anniversary celebration on Saturday for a little cake.
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