Oconto boutique has new owner and name

Kent Tempus, Green Bay Press-Gazette
·2 min read
Magan Holz cuts the ribbon at the grand opening of her downtown Oconto store, Olive + Birch, earlier this month. From left are Jen Clements, owner of Inspire Fitness Gym, Holz, Oconto Area Chamber of Commerce president Rob Hayes and Sandy Wenzel, a friend of Holz’s.
Magan Holz cuts the ribbon at the grand opening of her downtown Oconto store, Olive + Birch, earlier this month. From left are Jen Clements, owner of Inspire Fitness Gym, Holz, Oconto Area Chamber of Commerce president Rob Hayes and Sandy Wenzel, a friend of Holz’s.

OCONTO – A boutique in downtown Oconto has a new name and owner.

Like its predecessor, Olive + Birch offers women's clothing and accessories, such as jewelry and purses, but owner Magan Holz plans to expand to provide shoes, athletic wear and eventually men's clothing.

Holz launched her business' website, olivebirchboutique.com, just before Black Friday, then held a grand opening at 1102 Main St. on Jan. 15.

“As much as I love having a website, I really wanted to be able to interact and get to know my customers,” she said. “I love to shop and try new clothing and there is nothing better than being able to try on the clothing before you buy. I do a lot of online shopping but that sometimes can be a hassle having to return stuff if it doesn't work out or fit.”

At the end of December, Holz began leasing the building from Lisa Carey-Hirst, who opened Be-You-Tiful Boutique in October 2016.

Holz started the website in hopes of eventually opening a retail outlet. She met with Samantha Boucher at Oconto County Economic Development Corp., and was approved for a $10,000 grant from the Main Street Bounce Back Program.

“(Being) awarded a grant … really pushed me to get the store a lot sooner – best decision ever,” she said.

After deciding to open the storefront, Holz said she asked on a Facebook post if anyone was renting space, to which Carey-Hirst responded.

Carey-Hirst said the inquiry “came at the perfect time” as she’d contemplated for the past year what to do with the property.

Carey-Hirst she she’d closed her store after the pandemic began and later opened for only special events and on weekends during the holidays.

The store is open Wednesday to Friday noon to 4 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The store is a second job for Holz, a Janesville native who moved to Oconto in August to be with girlfriend Jen Clements, owner of Inspire Fitness in Oconto, and closer to her son’s father.

She continues to work full-time for a manufacturer in southern Wisconsin in sales, marketing and system administration, and is in the office Monday and Tuesday. She works remotely Wednesday through Friday.

Holz said everyone has been very welcoming and supportive.

“I am so thrilled I made the move and absolutely love Oconto and the community,” she said.

This story was updated to include comments from Lisa Carey-Hirst.

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Contact Kent Tempus at (920) 354-6075 or ktempus@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Oconto boutique has new owner and name, Olive + Birch