Iva Kay’s: A dream fulfilled

By Shari Harris, Publisher

Licking has a new boutique: Iva Kay’s Boutique and Tanning, on Maple Avenue. Marcie Ammons opened Iva Kay’s on October 7. The boutique offers on-trend styles, from comfy lounge sets to date night options, everyday wear to special occasions, along with gift options and accessories. For tanning, Iva Kay’s has two quality tanning beds that give fast results with a deeper, more even tan.

Iva Kay’s carries a large selection of brands, including Judy Blue jeans and Risen jeans. You don’t have to travel to find on-trend styles, and clothing varies from comfortable to classy. You’ll also find gift options, accessories, and other products, including Tyler laundry detergent, candles, room sprays, car fresheners and lotions; Dionis lotions, gift sets and lip balms; Rowe Casa products; and Skinny Syrups for coffee, water and more. Accessories include jewelry, lip butters, purses, body sprays, and hats, to name a few. Kanga Coolers can also be found at Iva Kay’s – these iceless coolers keep drinks cold up to seven hours.

Two high-powered tanning beds are on-site. They are Level 4 beds, with 44 bulbs, facial and shoulder tanners, and are super comfortable. With a maximum tan time of 12 minutes, it’s easy to fit a tan into your schedule. Ammons emphasizes cleanliness and quality, and offers tanning accessories like tanning lotions (full size and sample packets), moisturizers to keep skin hydrated, eye wear and more. Single tan sessions are $8, five tanning sessions will cost $35, or a month of unlimited tanning can be had for $55. Every Friday, you can tan for just $5 per session. Ask about their January Tanning Special, where you can get free tans with the purchase of a full-size lotion.

Ammons says they try to have a special every month, so stop by or check out their Facebook page to see what’s new.

Valentine’s Day is fast approaching, and Iva Kay’s has preorders open through January 25th. Gift sets include The Mug Set, The Diva Set and The Bestie Set. These can be delivered to local businesses and Licking schools on Friday, February 13, or on Valentine’s Day. They are also available for local pick up.

A special Galentine’s Event will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, February 13. In-store specials will be found, and you’ll also see special guests Ripleigh Sullins with facial waxing, Carla Elliott with hair feathers and tinsel, and Halee Ammons with a nail bar and dirty soda bar; Grady Rae’s Coffee is also expected to be at the event.

Ammons plans to host events with special guests periodically to help other small businesses and provide fun events for the community.

“Our goal is to help people feel confident, whether that’s finding an outfit they love, or a tan that makes them feel their best!” said Ammons. “We love being a part of our customers’ big moments too – from outfits for special occasions, or getting you tan ready for prom or vacation. I truly look forward to getting to know my customers and them becoming friends.”

You may remember Marcie Ammons from Dirt Road Gypsy Boutique, which was previously open in the same location. She was also a vendor at McCoy & Co. at Farmgirl Floral until opening the new store.

“It was a great opportunity,” Ammons says about her time at McCoy & Co. “I am thankful for the friendships made through it and for all of our customers who found us there and have followed to the new location.”

The name Iva Kay’s has a special meaning for Ammons. The boutique is named after two very special women in her life, her grandmother, Iva, and her aunt, whose middle name was Kay.

“Choosing this name was my way of honoring them and keeping them with me,” she explained.

Family is more than just in the name, however. Marcie Ammons’ daughter, Halee Ammons, plays a very active role in the boutique, helping with merchandising, displays, staying on top of current trends, and helping customers at the boutique.

“I love getting to build this dream alongside of her,” Marcie expressed.

“This is truly a family business,” she added. “My husband, Bryan, and son, Blake, do a lot of behind the scenes to help build this dream. They help keep everything working as it should and running smoothly, allowing me to focus on my customers.”

The business is a dream fulfilled for Marcie Ammons. She has always loved shopping, and being able to do that as well as share it with the community is even more rewarding.

“I feel very blessed to be back in the boutique business,” she said. “I am so incredibly thankful for all my family, friends and customers that continue to support Iva Kay’s.”

Iva Kay’s is located at 201 Maple Avenue in Licking, and they are open Tuesday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. You can also find them on Facebook at Iva Kay’s, with shipping or local pickup offered. In addition to her store in Licking, Ammons has a booth inside Upstairs Marketplace in Mountain Grove. Upstairs Marketplace houses 40 vendors and has a VIP shopping group on Facebook where items from all their vendors are posted.

Photos by Katey Wesley