Wood River’s She Means Business Event and True North Boutique & Med Spa Opening
WOOD RIVER - A new size-inclusive boutique is opening in downtown Wood River with a medspa attached.
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True North Boutique and Medspa, located at 16 East Ferguson Avenue, will celebrate its grand opening at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026. The grand opening party will coincide with Wood River’s She Means Business event recognizing women-owned businesses in the community. True North owner Mandie Clark can’t wait to bring people together for the big day.
There’s lots going on down in Wood River,” she said. “We have tons of women-owned businesses and lots of people who are looking forward to collaborating. That is part of what makes a successful community, all of the businesses working together.”
To celebrate National Women-Owned Small Business Month in October, Clark collaborated with Wood River Business Alliance Director Kristen Burns to coordinate the She Means Business event. With 29 small women-owned businesses in Wood River, Burns and Clark agreed they have a lot to celebrate.
From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Oct. 24, Ferguson Avenue will be closed and filled with local women business owners selling their wares. Community members can shop the businesses, enter to win raffles, and “celebrate all those women,” Clark said.
Attendees are also encouraged to bring an item to donate to the Child Advocacy Center. From canned goods to gift cards to toys, all donations will go toward the organization’s work in supporting children who have experienced trauma.
While She Means Business takes over downtown, there will also be plenty of fun at True North Boutique and Medspa. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will kick off the day at 11 a.m., followed by door prizes, a grand prize giveaway, and additional grand opening specials.
Clark noted that True North has been a dream of hers for a long time. The medspa will include estheticians and a makeup artist. All of these people will be onsite on Oct. 24 to answer questions and share their expertise with potential clients.
“We will have everything from injectables like botox to wellness services like IVs and medical weight management,” Clark explained.
The boutique is equally exciting, with size inclusivity at the center of Clark’s mission. She shared that she always felt like “the odd man out” when she went shopping with friends because her body was bigger than theirs. It was important to Clark to make sure the boutique offers several inclusive sizes and styles.
“I want moms and daughters and sisters and friends to be able to shop together and not one person feel like they can’t shop. I want everyone who comes in to feel like they can pick something off the shelf and they can fit in it,” she explained. “There won’t just be a corner with a plus-size section. It’s going to be integrated throughout the whole store.”
Clark hopes to welcome many people to True North Boutique and Medspa on Oct. 24 to celebrate their grand opening. She and Burns are also excited for the coinciding She Means Business event happening outside the building. The duo encouraged people to come by, check out Clark’s new business, and support the other women-owned businesses in town.
For more information about True North’s grand opening, visit the official Facebook event page. To learn about True North Boutique and Medspa, check out their official Facebook page. For more on the She Means Business event, visit the official Wood River Business Alliance Facebook page.
This featured article is sponsored by True North Boutique and Medspa. To get your business or organization featured on www.RiverBender..com, contact us at sales@riverbender.com.
