The Route 27 corridor is known for a number of businesses but not necessarily for style. But on July 6, Southport resident Amy Redfern opened her shop Amelia and things just may change.   

The Boothbay shop offers an interesting mix of resale clothing, accessories and skincare products.  But perhaps the most valuable thing offered is free: Redfern’s experience as a personal stylist.

The clothing includes swimwear and fitnesswear. A luxury section has higher priced clothing and accessories, high-end denim and designer handbags. Sizes at Amelia range from OO to XXL and the clothing is arranged by color, not size.

A mom herself, Redfern understands that sometimes parents who want to shop have little ones in tow. So Amelia provides a children’s play area, with a table, chairs, books and toys.

Redfern is a native Mainer. She grew up in Searsport and Camden, and came back to Maine in 2011 from Boulder, Colorado with her sea captain husband Shawn Griffiths.

She has been a freelance creative consultant and “fell in love with styling” when she was a personal stylist for U.S. clothier Anthropologie, which has more than 200 stores worldwide. Before working in retail, Redfern and her husband worked together on yachts, living in Greece, Italy, Tahiti, Panama and elsewhere.

Her eye for style and fashion has sharpened along the way. “I can often intuitively gauge what someone needs,” she said of her ability to find just the right item for customers. And she will scout for clothing or accessories on a customer’s wish list and shop for them. All styling services are complimentary, whether it’s overhauling a wardrobe or just selecting a shirt.

One of the ways Redfern finds items is to visit a client’s home and help clean out their closets. Often, the process is emotional and empowering for women who may be holding onto clothing they no longer need or want.

An ecology major in school, Redfern said she wanted to have a business "built on sustainability.”  She sees her resale business model as giving clothes another life. “When you make a purchase of resale clothing, you are making a sustainability choice.”

She cited pesticides and the “textile waste stream” as factors impacting the planet. “The core of my business is sustainability and the joy of my business is empowering women."

The shop is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Contact Redfern about her services at (207) 350-1696 or helloameliamaine@gmail.com