Searenity, now.

Boutique celebrates new lease on life at fresh Salishan location

By Linda Turner Griepentrog

For The TODAY

Searenity has come to the community, and to the Salishan Marketplace.

After moving from her Lincoln City location in January, owner Jen Lee says it was fate that brought her to the new locale. 
Her current 2,200 square foot location previously housed a business called Unique & Knotty. She had walked by it many times admiring the shop’s splendid window space. After Lee met with the owner, the two came to a great arrangement and now Searenity has doubled its previous space. And, in yet another twist of fate, Lee’s family recently moved to Salishan, so her commute is two minutes rolling down a hill. The Searenity tagline, “Clothing+Gifts+Home+Community” perfectly describes the carefully curated boutique.

“Community is my business!” Lee said. “I’m grateful for the community and its support of small businesses, and I’m all about building community.”

Lee is a prolific social media marketer, often posting on the store’s Facebook and Instagram pages multiple times a day to show off new merchandise and promote in-store events. In addition to the wide selection and size ranges of coastal Boho clothing, Lee now offers a large selection of Free People, a global brand of clothing, activewear and shoes not otherwise found locally. She has also used the expanded space to add a kitchen and dish selection, along with more gifts. The customer-favorite Charm Bar is bigger and better than ever, and has been joined by a Flower Bar. The new addition offers a colorful selection of crochet and felted flowers for ever-lasting beauty. No green thumb required.
Working with local and regional small businesses is a hallmark of Lee’s business philosophy. She supports 40 local artisans and makers in the area and encourages them to develop their businesses as well as providing handmade items for her shop.

Events are key to building Lee’s sense of community. Recently, she personally directed and produced her second fashion show for the Fundraiser Fashion Show Gala co-sponsored by The Beach Club & Event Center. The event raised $10,000 for Family Promise of Lincoln County. The fashion show featured 10 models and 60 outfits, and was put together with the assistance of Lee’s production team: hair stylists and designers, plus a professional photographer and jewelry stylist.

“It was like planning a wedding and a play all in one,” she said.


Meanwhile, the in-store book club is celebrating its 20th month, bringing up to 25 participants into the shop on the third Thursday evening of each month. Featured books are chosen three months in advance, so there’s plenty of time to read — another of Lee’s passions.

“Book Club night is becoming a big celebration,” she said.

Pioneer Joe’s Coffee in the Marketplace extends its hours on book club night so that people can access their favorite brews and treats and neighboring Oshen’s Chophouse is the go-to spot for those wishing to enjoy cocktails or wine before the session. The club meets on the cozy couches and chairs that create a respite on the east side windows of the store.
 Not one to ever rest on her laurels, Lee is starting a Searenity Rocks craft activity. People can come into the store and head to the work station where they will find all the materials necessary to paint rocks. Participants then add a message to the underside and hide the rock somewhere in the area. The finder can either keep the rock, re-hide the rock, or bring it back to the store for a 10 percent-off coupon. The rock painting effort is in tandem with Searenity Movement, a Wednesday evening walking group where participants stroll to various destinations within a 45-minute radius, hiding painted rocks as they go.


Summer activities at Searenity include a new series called Searenity First Fridays where participants can join a workshop or event on the first Friday of each summer month. A Vision Board Wellness Journal workshop will take place on Friday, June 7, where guests can create a notebook with goals for the second half of the year. A Sip & Sea customer appreciation event will take place on Friday, July 5. And a surprise activity will be announced soon for Friday, Aug. 2.

“It is going to be so fun,” Lee said, “and I couldn’t be more excited about it.”

While the focus of the store is obviously a curated selection of Boho clothing, gifts, home decor and accessories, one cannot wonder what other fabulous events will be forthcoming from Lee’s non-stop marketing brain. Stay tuned.

Searenity Boutique is located in the Salishan Marketplace at 7755 N Hwy. 101 in Gleneden Beach. Hours are Wednesday through Sunday from 11 am to 5 pm. Shopping other times is available by appointment. For more information, go to searenityboutique.com or call 541-622-2447.