“Grounding and thriving” are the first words that pop into my head when I step into Terra Verde Boutique downtown, which is fitting for a name that roughly translates into “green earth.” And when you do an even deeper dive into the story behind it, it's tough to imagine a better name for this flourishing local treasure.
Evolving + Growing
Nearly 30 years ago, Chris Sondermann opened Terra Verde as a women’s clothing boutique. Since then, it has evolved and grown, establishing itself as a forever downtown Colorado Springs staple.
When the time came for Sondermann to hand off her passion project, she approached two longtime employees and Colorado Springs natives: Leah Fitzgerald Riehl and Carrie Hibbard. Leah and Carrie jumped at the opportunity to buy Terra Verde.
“The store has always had something special about it, and to Carrie and me, it was important to keep the atmosphere true to its roots. We always want Terra Verde to be an inviting, inclusive, and just a really happy place to be,” Leah explains.
Leah and Carrie purchased Terra Verde in January of 2020, right before the pandemic.
Getting Creative
“We definitely had to get creative, and we were so grateful to our customers who were intentional about supporting the boutique even through shutdowns. So many contributed by shopping online, and we would even facetime clients and customers helping them pick out pieces and shipping it to them or having them safely pick up their purchases.” Leah explains, “It really made us realize how special this community is and we are so fortunate to be the epitome of a boutique success story even through uncertain times. It’s truly a testament to our customer's loyalty and the community we’ve been able to foster with Terra Verde.”
Much like the hearts behind it, the boutique has a warm, welcoming, and eclectic feel to it. It's hard not to smile here.
“So much of the atmosphere of the boutique has to do with our incredible staff. They love this community and store so much,” she said.
Something for Everyone
Terra Verde carries an assortment of styles that cater to a variety of tastes, and Leah and Carrie have been purposeful in making sure Terra Verde has something to offer for every aesthetic.
“Inclusivity is something we value, and we want our customers to feel and understand that when they walk in,” she explains.
Full of precious items from trendy women’s clothing, handbags, accessories, home décor, and gifts, Terra Verde is also proud to partner with local jewelry artists showcasing and selling their pieces in the store.
Supporting Small Businesses
“As a small business ourselves, we see the value in supporting and promoting other small businesses and doing things to support the local community.”
True to their word, Terra Verde also sponsors and supports local events and causes that are dear to their hearts such as the Colorado Springs Women’s Film Festival.
In Terra Verde, you will find beautiful things, warm conversation, and a welcoming place to linger. “Ultimately, it’s our goal is to create an experience that is more than just about the products we sell. We want our store to be full of community, fun, inclusive, and it's our greatest hope that every customer walks out feeling better than when they came in.”
“Community is beautiful,” Leah explains, “and that’s the motto we live by here at Terra Verde.”
Website: https://www.terraverdestyle.com/
Facebook + Instagram: @terraverdestyle
