Before Charley & Co Boutique ever opened its doors in Greeley, Tammy Kidwell was already living a life stitched together by creativity, community, and quiet courage. A longtime resident of Boulder County, Tammy was a working mother with a passion for side businesses — the kind that required paint-stained hands, craft shows, and late nights making custom ornaments in her garage. Whether running a décor store, painting landscapes, or teaching classes, creativity wasn’t just a hobby. It was her way of bringing beauty and connection into everyday life.
Everything changed in February 2019 when Tammy lost her youngest son, Jay, to complications from the flu. Soon after, she moved to Greeley to be closer to her oldest son, Charlie, and her grandchildren. Grieving and searching for purpose, she leaned into what had always brought comfort — painting. With a brush in hand and prayers in her heart, the earliest ideas for Charley & Co began to take shape.
“I spent those first few months in Greeley lost in my thoughts, painting landscapes,” Tammy shares. “That’s when I started thinking about opening a space to sell my work, along with home décor and gifts.” Her daughter-in-law, Lisa Shelley — a creative force in fashion and makeup — was all in. Together, they opened Charley & Co, naming it after Charlie, and set out to build not just a boutique and coffee bar, but a place where community could take root.
While the shop’s inviting style and artisan goods gained attention, it’s what happens in the backroom — around paintbrushes, canvases, and tables filled with laughter — that sets Charley & Co apart. Tammy’s creative classes are a blend of warmth, artistry, and intention. They’re not just about learning a craft; they’re about healing, celebrating, and sharing life.
“My creative talents come from God,” Tammy says. “Whenever I feel lost, God tells me to paint. It’s how I find stillness. It’s always been His way of leading me forward.”
That connection between faith and creativity is central to the classes she offers. From floral arranging and sourdough baking to candle making and painting projects, each event is designed to be approachable, joyful, and just the right amount of challenging. Tammy tests the projects herself, simplifying steps so every participant — no matter their skill level — feels confident by the end.
“I want people to leave feeling fulfilled, joyful, and more in touch with their own creativity,” she says. “But more than that, I hope they walk away with new friendships. That sense of connection is everything.”
The classes, often paired with refreshments and conversation, have become one of Charley & Co’s most beloved offerings. They draw women of all ages — some coming for the art, others simply needing a few hours of calm and community. In many ways, they reflect Tammy’s own journey of grief, renewal, and purpose.
Faith has always been woven into the boutique’s identity. From hand-lettered scripture on the walls to devotionals and journals, Tammy has never shied away from sharing her heart. And in a city like Greeley, where community and faith often go hand in hand, her authenticity has only strengthened her connection with customers.
“People thank us all the time for having a space that’s open about faith,” she says. “We were told not to advertise as a Christian business — that it would hurt us. But we’ve experienced the opposite.”
When the coffee bar was added, Tammy watched two distinct communities merge. Regulars from the boutique met regulars from the café, and slowly something deeper began to grow — a network of people who knew each other by name and found comfort in a shared space. Tammy sees it every day: people aren’t just stopping in for a latte or a new outfit — they’re looking to feel known.
Her vision includes carving out more space for local artists and offering more workshops, especially painting. “I’d love to use that space to create and, hopefully, inspire others to do the same,” she says. “It’s not about being perfect — it’s about showing up, trying something new, and feeling proud of what you made.”
Tammy Kidwell may have arrived in Greeley in the midst of heartbreak, but through brushstrokes, faith, and the courage to begin again, she’s created something lasting. Charley & Co isn’t just a boutique — it’s an invitation. And Tammy, quietly and joyfully, is reminding everyone who walks through her door that there’s still beauty to be made, still stories to be shared, and still room at the table.