Fierce by Willow Marie opens near Five Points

The response to Willow Marie Co. in Midway was so overwhelming since its April opening that the owners decided it was already time to branch out. 

Fierce by Willow Marie opened its doors north of Five Points just before Thanksgiving, offering a more casual complement to the popular shop just a few miles south.

“People just kept asking for more and more, so that’s kind of why we opened up this space,” said Brynn Byerly, who owns the shops with Michelle Long, Ashlee Lessner and Kelly Steele.

The plan, Byerly said, is to offer a casual selection at Fierce and the dressier clothing at Willow Marie.

“You won’t find the same clothing in both stores,” she said. “We keep totally different stock, so that’s why it’s important to go to both.”

Willow Marie is also the place to find clothing for infants and toddlers. Tweens and teens are covered at Fierce, she said.

The shop is constantly rotating its inventory, she said. Shortly after opening, the store was wiped out by Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and a midnight madness event. But a new selection of clothing and accessories are delivered weekly, she said.

Z Supply clothing and Kinsley Armelle jewelry are among the brands exclusive to Fierce.

Byerly said they worked hard to make Fierce a boutique experience. First, they converted the former Salvaged space to a more light and airy look. They then incorporated pieces from Salvaged to create a very unique look.

“We made it really personalized,” she said.

One of the personal touches, Byerly said, is a coffee and wine bar at the front of the store for shoppers to enjoy while browsing. It’s not uncommon to also find orange crushes too, she said.

Byerly and Long are also co-owners of Salvaged, which moved next door to Fierce. An interior door connects the two businesses, offering a natural flow from fashionable clothing to stylish furniture and home decor.

“We were just thinking what the next big thing was that we could do,” Byerly said. “We all love fashion and love getting women to feel empowered, so that’s why we decided to go the boutique route.

Fierce by Willow Marie, 17370 Coastal Highway in Lewes, is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and 12 to 4 p.m., Sunday. Fierce and Willow Marie also have an online store at willowmarieandco.com.