Abbie Fox carries on a strong family tradition

Patty McGee | Wednesday, October 11, 2023

Out of high school, Abbie Fox took on her first retail job working alongside her father and grandfather at Samko’s Carpet and Flooring on Columbus Avenue.

Her expertise in retail was cultured and honed as she managed and worked in big box retail stores over the years. Now, with 19 years of experience under her belt, Fox established Lakelynn Design Boutique in 2017. 
 
Known for its variety of quality and funky styles, Lakelynn Design began as a traveling boutique taking body positive and comfortable styles for all body types all over Ohio. Now that Fox has a store front, she has stayed ahead of even the popular TikTok trends.

“Lakelynn Design was the first boutique in the area to carry Judy Blue Denim, which has now just found its way to the TikTok scene but has been relevant to us since 2017,” Fox says.

These size inclusive jeans are offered in sizes 1-24 and as Fox explains, “Being a woman is hard enough” and she’s just looking to make shopping easier for customers.

Known for its variety of quality and funky styles, Lakelynn Design began as a traveling boutique taking body positive and comfortable styles for all body types all over Ohio. (Photo/Courtesy of Abbie Fox)She prioritizes not only inclusivity but also exceptional customer service. Fox ensures this with a “team of sincere and enthusiastic employees like Sydney, who is my Sandusky store manager/marketing assistant and my assistant manager Lili Haddox who brings style and spark to every customer she meets.” 
 
Fox's own style and spark comes alive in Sandusky, the place she calls home.

“This is where I grew up and have the fondest memories,” she says.

Not only is Sandusky her favorite place, but Lakelynn Design was also one of the first boutiques in the area to promote makers, artisans, and other small U.S. businesses by offering/promoting their products to customers. Additionally, Lakelynn Design strives to stock 60% of the store with USA manufactured goods and small U.S. business-based goods. 
 
Located at 128 E. Market St., this location is nostalgic for Fox, as it was once the home of Faroh’s Fine Chocolates. This is where her grandfather procured his favorite chocolate covered cherries every holiday. 

After what felt like fate in obtaining this location, Fox began construction on her new storefront.

“I kept finding the original wallpaper behind boards during construction,” Fox recalls.

Lakelynn Design Boutique is located at 128 E. Market St., Sandusky. (Photo/Courtesy of Abbie Fox)She shares that it was also once The Record Shop in the late 1950s and was owned by Joyce Lombardi.

“Word got out that I had uncovered some of the original record shop wallpaper with Lombardi’s name, business name, and dates on the wall leading to our basement,” Fox says. “Lombardi showed up one night while we were renovating and she and I spent time walking through the store, where she told me her husband had hand-built the shelves in my store and that the sound rooms were where my fitting rooms are now." 

Lombardi continued to share stories of the people lining up and down Columbus Avenue on Friday nights when new records were released and memories of eating lunch in the front window with the owner of the local jewelry store downtown.

Fox goes on to say that Lombardi loved seeing her wallpaper and where she had once written her name on the wall.

“I will forever keep her wallpaper visible and her name," Fox says. "What an honor it is to be in this space!”

Sandusky is screaming with “vibrant history and stories” and Fox intends on keeping that tradition alive in her shop. 
 
As much as Fox loves honoring the past and history of her building, it doesn’t mean she doesn’t have her eye on the future.  Over the summer, Fox had a pop up in the Marketplace at the Cooke called Lakelynn Littles.

Some of the items for sale at Lakelynn Design Boutique. (Photo/Courtesy of Abbie Fox)“Lakelynn Littles Pop Up has now transformed into The Littles Loft in our Lakelynn Design Boutique location," Fox says. "We are so happy to be under one roof and offer all of our goods in one location. Customers can now shop quality threads and funsies for their littles at our boutique."

Here customers can find children’s apparel, toys, games, baby goods and more. 
 
As her brand and stores and ideas keep expanding, Fox talks about what is next for her business.

“[I want] to help and promote all of our neighbors," she says. "To work as a community to show how great downtown Sandusky is and can be. We love all of our neighbors and would love to work together to become less of a seasonal town and get more locals downtown to enjoy and fall in love.”

It’s clear that this hometown girl intends to continue on the tradition of history, community, and adding her own narratives to this already storied space. 
 
Check out Lakelynn Design Boutique on Instagram and Facebook for the latest arrivals and sales.

Related Tags

Entrepreneurship 
Sandusky 

Recommended Content

Sponsored By
Focus Areas
Copyright © Issue Media Group. All rights reserved.