Wilcox County teen owns and operates successful boutique in downtown Camden

A popular and trendy boutique on Broad Street in Camden is owned and operated by a local teen with a flair for fashion and a brain for business.

Celie McGilberry, 17, opened River & Co. when she was just 15 years old, first as an online shop and now in a second brick-and-mortar store at a prime location next door to The Pecan restaurant on the main drag in Camden.

As customers file in and out of her boutique during the March Tour of Homes, McGilberry told the Black Belt News Network she opened the store as a fun afterschool activity.

“I didn’t play any sports, and I just wanted something to do after school, so I took my savings and ordered some things and I started it,” she said. “I just kept reinvesting.”

The store that was named after her dog and her family’s home on the Alabama River has a variety of trendy items, from women’s and men’s clothing to colorful bags, gold jewelry, accessories and more.

McGilberry opened the first brick and mortar shop on the bypass before finding the Broad Street location that gets strong weekend traffic from accompanying retailers. She also sells items online at shopriverandco.com.

She gets her fares from going to markets that show off the latest trending items, and she conducts polls of her followers on Instagram to see what they like. She also draws customers by advertising on social media.

Her most popular items are the gold filled jewelry that can be worn in water and won’t turn colors, the permanent jewelry options, pajamas and women’s wear.

When asked what advice she may have for other young entrepreneurs wanting to start a business as a teen, she said, “Just go for it and believe in yourself.”