From Lubbock to Northlake, River Bleu has deep roots in the community. The business was founded by Gracie McKall in Lubbock, Texas. Maddie Waller, Gracie’s sister, runs the Northlake Location in the Plaza at the Commons.
The River Bleu story is a special one. The company began in 2017 in Gracie’s apartment. She started with refurbished furniture that she would take to Trade Shows around Lubbock. Eventually, she had inventory overflowing out of her apartment. After six years of success, she decided to loop her sister in.
When they chose to open up a location here in Northlake, the sisters reached out to the community bankers at Lamar National Bank. “Having the store in Lubbock, we had already had experience with other banks,” Maddie said. “We knew we needed to partner with someone who knew small businesses and the community.” Lamar National Bank fit that bill.
Maddie and Gracie began to have one-on-one conversations with Dylan Ruthart, the branch manager. He guided them through the different types of business products available to them and explained which one would be the best for their endeavors. It was quite a surprise for her to learn just how many perks they had available despite being a smaller, local bank.
“What’s so different about Lamar, and Dylan, is the level of confidence they have,” Maddie said about working with the bank. “He was not only confident in his knowledge but he helped build confidence in ourselves.”
River Bleu and Lamar National Bank continue to be a perfect match. Maddie explained that the average customer for their store is the working mom. They offer clothing, home goods, and gifts that range in price with items that can cost anywhere from $10 to $100.
What differentiates Lamar National Bank is its commitment to the community. According to Maddie, everyone at the bank is always ready to pour back into the area. “We are members of the Metroport Chamber here, we participate in sponsorships, and of course, we will have a physical presence at events,” Dylan said about how Lamar National Bank gets involved in the community.
Dylan is the main point of contact for the sisters. His first impression was that they were extremely nice, friendly, and passionate. He understood right away their desire to put customers first and provide a space that they could feel comfortable in.
One thing everyone at Lamar strives to do is build a personal relationship with their customers. Everyone who walks in is a friend or a family member, not a number. That was something that Maddie and Gracie noticed right away. Maddie continues to have a relationship with the bank, often going in to talk with Dylan about anything.
Whether you are an individual or a business owner, if you need assistance, Maddie highly recommends Lamar. She says all you have to do is meet with a banker and you’ll be able to see and feel the difference. Dylan agrees and says that the best advice for anyone this time of year is to not bite off more than you can chew. Take it step by step and if you need help, rely on him.
To learn more about either business, visit lamarnationalbank.com, riverbleuboutique.com, or head over to The Plaza at the Commons and stop in to say hi!
“What’s so different about Lamar, and Dylan, is the level of confidence they have,” Maddie said about working with the bank.