New boutique opens in downtown Ironwood

By PAMELA JANSSON

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Ironwood — A new boutique has opened in downtown Ironwood, and its owner describes it as “a go-to destination for your beauty needs.”

Raven Cotton said her store — which includes clothing, accessories and jewelry — targets women from ages 18 to 45. Also available are wigs, lashes, makeup, oils and other men’s and women’s grooming supplies.

Cotton, who spoke to The Globe on Aug. 23, moved into the location in June and opened AJR Beauty LLC on Aug. 12.

She created the store name from the initials of her late partner, Anthony Jerard Rouzan.

“He passed away unexpectedly on Jan. 29 of 2022 when I was five months pregnant,” said Cotton, fighting back tears. “He’s not with me in the flesh but he’s here every day in spirit. That gives me strength in my belief that I’m being guided every step of the way.”

Cotton said that she and Anthony had hoped to open a business. “That was something we had always talked about, dreamed about,” she said.

Her baby, also named for his father, but known as A.J., is now 16 months old. His older brother is Mayjor, age 8.

Although she grew up in Georgia and Milwaukee, Cotton said her history with this area is extended. “My mom moved us to Ironwood when I was 17 in 2008,” she said, adding that she’s lived here on and off ever since.

At the time her partner died, Cotton was living and working in Florida. She decided then to return to this region, where she said the quietude has helped her to grow as a woman and a mother.

“It’s actually been one of the best decisions I made to return here,” she said. “The community is just so supportive.”

Regarding Michael Meyer, executive director of the Ironwood Chamber of Commerce, she said, “He has been so amazing, so great to work with. He’s been super helpful.”

She also commended her business neighbors as being extremely supportive.

“It’s a perfect, very strategic location,” said Cotton of her locale on Suffolk Street, across from the Pines Cafe. “It’s just perfect.”

She is positioned right next to a salon and several establishments where people can pick up a meal, bakery, snacks or co-op groceries.

“This is my first time doing anything like this,” said Cotton. “I’m the first person in my family to own a business.”

She added that she did engage in a lot of self-taught preparation. “I’ve been putting in a lot of time,” she said.

Moreover, she noted, “I’ve always been a woman of faith. My motto is take a leap of faith. I just know the universe or God would not put me through anything I can’t handle.”

Despite past misfortunes, Cotton said she knows that her late partner “would have wanted me to stay strong.”

She also emphasized that no previous misfortune will define her. “I define me,” she assured and added, “I have resilience and tenacity that just does not quit.”

While pausing periodically to chat with friendly shoppers strolling about, Cotton said she hopes to have a grand opening before long with markdowns, raffles and beauty packages.

“I just launched my online website yesterday, and I do have a Facebook page now,” she said. “We just got the logo done.”

She also expects soon to have her own business sign hung outside the entry door.

At this time, the store is still marked by the name of the previous establishment, Superior Holistics and Boutique, which is no longer operating and with which Cotton has no affiliation.

Because that establishment sold items on consignment, and because many of those items were still onsite when Cotton took over the building, she is opening her store on Sunday and on Sept. 6 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day so that persons may pick up their consignment items, which she has bagged and alphabetized by name.

The address of AJR Beauty is 119 S. Suffolk St.

Regular store hours are Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Questions may be directed to Cotton at 906-675-9304.