Noelle Wellington overcomes obstacles to open a clothing boutique in Queenz
Noelle Wellington entered foster care when she was 2 years old and didn’t leave until she reached the age of majority nearly two decades later.
“People told me that it would be nothing, or that I would be on drugs like my mom, and things like that,” she said. “So my ambition and determination were always through the roof.”
Noelle Wellington poses for a portrait in her Queenz store.
Joseph Cooke/Buffalo News
Leaving foster care means making the difficult transition to adulthood without a support system, often after a lifetime of trauma, and all the statistics were stacked against him, according to the advisory group National Conference of State Legislatures. . Half of foster kids who grow old outside the system become addicted to drugs. A quarter will not have a high school diploma or GED. And more than one in five will end up homeless.
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Wellington made a conscious decision not to go to university because he wanted to avoid debt. He also had an entrepreneurial spirit and loved to work. She often worked 80 to 90 hour weeks between jobs in retail and home health care.
Noelle Wellington inspects a coat in her store.
Joseph Cooke/Buffalo News
Then, when he was 25 years old, he was in a car accident. Two years later, she received money in a settlement and put every penny into opening her own clothing store called Queenz, at 2577 Bailey Ave.
“I never really had clothes growing up. I used to go in my closet and pray over my clothes and say, ‘God, please multiply it,'” she said. “And then, years later, I have a clothing store.”
Unfortunately, that year was 2019, which meant that Covid-19 was right around the corner. Wellington had to close the shop, but was still pending rent and other bills. He concentrated on his e-commerce operations and built a following.
Earlier this month, the traditional Queenz boutique reopened. It sells men’s and women’s clothing, women’s lingerie, and accessories such as handbags.
She acknowledges that the road to get to where she is has been tough and that there may be more obstacles ahead. But she also believes that owning a clothing store is nothing short of a miracle.
“It was a dream come true, and I have to give all my credit to God,” he said.
Welcome to Buffalo Next. This newsletter from The Buffalo News will bring you the latest coverage on Buffalo Niagara’s changing economy, from real estate to healthcare to startups. Learn more at BuffaloNext.com.
Pawsitive Vibes, a mobile vet, hits the road
Veterinarian Valerie Ciallella and former West Side Pet Clinic Manager Joe Speranza teamed up to start Pawsitive Vibes Roaming Veterinary Care, a mobile veterinary clinic.
Pawsitive Vibes will make house calls, which owners say are beneficial for anxious dogs and convenient for older clients, those without transportation, or those with mobility issues.
JC Penney Beauty’s new concept heads to Walden Galleria
JC Penney at Walden Galleria has replaced its Sephora Beauty store with its own new concept, JC Penney Beauty. The new store-within-a-store is described as “hyper-inclusive” for all skin tones, ages, races, budgets and hair types.
The new store will replace Sephora as it migrates from JC Penney to Kohl’s stores after deciding not to renew its contact with JC Penney. It will have 600 stores installed in spring.
New Taco Bell in West Seneca
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Walmart eliminates paper bags
Starting January 1, Walmart will no longer provide paper shopping bags for customers in New York State. Shoppers will need to bring their own reusable bags.
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Catch up on the latest Buffalo Niagara economy news:
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Wells Enterprises to cut 183 jobs at its Dunkirk plantwhich is fewer than the 319 employees the company previously planned to lay off.
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Preliminary efforts are underway to prepare the third phase of the Northland complex redevelopment project in Buffalo.
The state is looking for ideas to rebuild a prison that closed last year in Gowanda.
Federal funds needed to launch a technology center program it has been included in a year-end spending bill before Congress.
Cost vs Benefits: That’s the trade-off at the center of the state’s proposed climate change plan.
A development agency is hiring a consultant to present ways to improve the infrastructure linking Canalside and the redesigned Centennial Park.
Slow hiring in the Buffalo Niagara region is being driven by a shortage of workersand local officials are beginning to look for ways to ease the crisis.
Big changes are coming to the state’s energy markets after a plan to reduce harmful emissions was approved by an advisory panel.
ICYMI
Five readings from Buffalo Next:
1. Recovery of the Buffalo Niagara economy: The value of all goods and services produced in the region, which fell 3.4% during the pandemic, returned strongly last year, with a gain of 5.3%.
2. The Bills make me want to buy: How Buffalo Bills merchandise is one of the hottest local gift items this holiday season.
3. How do you Are Western New York Higher Education Institutions Recovering From Covid-19? Enrollment at some local schools is holding up, but others are struggling to attract students.
Four. New life for old stones: How a Buffalo company is finding new uses for old brick and stone in construction projects.
5. Major changes proposed for state energy marketsand could change the way residents heat their homes and cook their food for years to come.
The Buffalo Next team gives you an overview of the region’s economic revitalization. Email suggestions to [email protected] or contact Associate Business Editor David Robinson at 716-849-4435.
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