Metro Detroit Church Offers Free, Upscale Shopping Experience for Women in Need

Oct. 9, 2012 - PRLog -- Deborah Butler and her sister spent decades sharing the selfless responsibility of raising their two deceased sisters' four children. This was in addition to raising four other children the two sisters had between themselves.

In Metro Detroit, times are tough. And having to choose between her own needs and the children's, Butler always sacrificed herself.

After years of always choosing food over clothing Butler's sister, Maxine Early, recently convinced her that it was time to think about herself. So, with her sister by her side, Butler  proudly walked through the frosted doors of an upscale boutique in Southfield (located inside Christian Tabernacle Church).

She stepped across the plush blue/gray carpet, breezed past coordinated mannequins and folding artwork, and paced laps around mango-colored walls accented with white-molding trim to thumb through racks and racks of expensive, fashionable clothing. She left with several high-end casual and dressy outfits without having to pay a dime!

Butler is one of many women who have been blessed by Christian Tabernacle Church's Legacy Clothing Boutique, a free shopping experience to bless women who are in need with donated stylish new and gently used clothing.

The ambiance, attentive staff, and private fitting to coordinate outfits with accessories made Butler, of Southfield, feel more like she was in an upscale store than a church boutique.

“Some of the things I got I couldn't believe someone gave away because they were so well-maintained,” said Butler of the boutique, which is located inside the church. “I look in the mirror to this day and can't believe I'm looking at myself. (The boutique) is the most beautiful thing I've ever experienced. They don't make you feel needy.”

Before this experience, Butler always declined her sister's invitations to accompany her at events and outings because she only had a pair of blue jeans and a couple blouses.

But, now she feels comfortable enough with her wardrobe to initiate outings.

“My mother told me as long as you keep your clothes clean you have a new outfit,” Butler said. “But, now I have more outfits to (interchange) to wear casual and dressy. I usually just throw my clothes on a chair. But, I take time to hang these up.”

Kelley Suggs said this is exactly the feeling Pastor James L. Morman and First Lady Loretta Morman had in mind for clients when they opened the boutique in May.

“We want to make sure our ladies are comfortable, feel good, and look good,” said Suggs, the church's media and marketing director.

“We give freely. You may think you know a person's situation, but it's not necessarily true.  Our pastor is big on community involvement. This is an extension of reaching out to the community and giving back."

Outfits and accessories are donated by members of the congregation and friends of the church. Each tax-deductible contribution is inspected by staff to ensure that they're in-season, fashionable, and gently used.

It's not unusual to find high-end name brand outfits at the Legacy Clothing Boutique from some of the nation's leading designers.  Plus shoe brands in the boutique are from those top-notch designers that everyone loves and wants.  

The ladies outfits can be paired with an assortment of available accessories including belts, jewelry, purses, necklaces, and earrings. Many of these outfits and accessories are so new that they still have tags. Frosted windows insure that clients can enjoy a private experience while shopping.

Early, who shed tears of joy while watching her sister's uncontainable smiles, almost didn't have words to express the joy she felt watching her sister experience this blessing.

“I thank God that everything (Butler) has given to everyone else is finally coming back to her in return,” said Early, of Redford. “Anytime you think you look good, you feel good. I'm just so appreciative I can't even begin to tell you.  It transformed my sister's life.”

Christian Tabernacle Church's Legacy Clothing Boutique is open from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Tuesdays, 5 p.m.  until 7 p.m. Fridays, and 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. every fourth Saturday. The church is located at 26555 Franklin Road (at Telegraph), Southfield.

For more information, call (248) 213-4770 or visit the church website at  www.ctabchurch.org