For sisters Erica Thomas and Miriam Steketee, Lulu + Bo Boutique has always been about more than what hangs on the racks.
It is about family, community and creating a place where women can walk in, feel happy, forget about everything else for a little while and simply enjoy shopping.
The sisters grew up in Wyckoff, attended high school in Franklin Lakes, lived and worked in New York City and eventually returned to Bergen County to raise their families in Ridgewood. Before entering fashion retail, their careers spanned finance, real estate, beauty and entrepreneurship. Over the years, they shared a love of travel, fashion and discovering unique boutiques and brands wherever they went, from Europe to the Caribbean and everywhere in between.
“For years, we’ve taken photos and said, ‘If we ever open a boutique, this brand has to be in it,’” Thomas says.
Eventually, “if” became reality.
Lulu + Bo opened its Midland Park storefront in October 2024, positioned between the communities the sisters knew so well. Their goal was to create the shopping experience they felt was missing locally: personal, effortless and curated for real life, with the latest trends and pieces that make women feel confident, current and cool.
Inside, a sofa anchors the space, giving the boutique the feeling of a modern living room. There are toys for kids, room to hang out, a great playlist and a team that gets to know customers by name. With its chic, thoughtfully designed interior, the store is as much fun to spend time in as it is to shop.
Between them, Thomas and Steketee have six children, so they understand the reality of a mom stopping in between school pickup, work, activities and everything else on the calendar.
Their assortment reflects that same versatility. Lulu + Bo carries pieces designed to take women from casual days and sidelines to date nights, celebrations and special occasions. Customers can stop in and find a wardrobe for an entire season, with a diverse selection of price points and styles.
“We literally have a mini department store in our 1,000-square-foot space, from designer dresses to cozy knits, the best denim brands and fun going-out tops,” Steketee says.
As the store’s head buyers, the sisters personally curate every collection, choosing pieces they love, would wear themselves and know will work for the women who shop at Lulu + Bo. They try on the clothing themselves before bringing it into the store, considering comfort, fit and how pieces work across different body types. They also intentionally buy limited quantities, helping keep the selection fresh and giving customers the opportunity to continually discover something new.
Their different personal styles also influence the mix. Thomas gravitates toward neutral, understated pieces with a sophisticated, classic and naturally effortless feel. Steketee loves brighter colors, sparkle and a little more glamour. Together, those perspectives help create a collection intended for different women, personalities and occasions.
But perhaps the strongest thread running through Lulu + Bo is family.
The boutique’s name honors the sisters’ parents, Lucy and Boris Kushnir, affectionately known to their grandchildren as Lulu and Bobo. After leaving Russia and coming to America to build a new life, Lucy and Boris worked hard in their computer engineering careers and entrepreneurial ventures, ultimately inspiring their daughters to become entrepreneurs themselves and take a chance on something of their own.
And their involvement didn’t end with the name.
Their father helps around the store, weighing in on everything from operations to outdoor plants and mannequin displays. Their mother has modeled looks for the boutique and helps with buying, while their cousin, Katarina Gilmour, manages the store. The family extends beyond relatives, too. The Lulu + Bo team has become family, with each person playing a part in making the boutique what it is today.
“It truly is a family affair,” Steketee says.
That sense of family extends into the community. Lulu + Bo regularly hosts sip-and-shop events benefiting local schools, charities and organizations, donating a portion of sales to the causes they support. The sisters also love creating reasons for women to come together, from mahjong nights and Friendsgiving celebrations to anniversary parties and birthdays, making Lulu + Bo as much about connection and community as it is about shopping.
As the holiday season approaches, the boutique becomes a destination not only for outfits but also for gifts, jewelry, candles and other finds available alongside its apparel.
For Thomas and Steketee, however, what they have built may be the most meaningful gift of all: a business inspired by their parents, operated alongside family and supported by the community they have called home for generations.
In a season centered on gratitude, Lulu + Bo is a reminder that sometimes the best things we build are the ones we get to build together. For the sisters, the boutique has become deeply woven into their everyday lives, along with the people they’ve met through it and the sense of joy and connection it continues to bring.
Lulu + Bo Boutique
Address: 105 Godwin Ave. Midland Park, NJ
Website: luluandboboutique.com
Socials: @luluandboboutique
“We have been taking photos for years being like, ‘If we ever opened a boutique, let’s make sure it has this.’” - Erica Thomas