Sunkissed Daisy gives old business fresh look

A much-needed breath of fresh air has been provided to a Cheney business in need of a new start.

Sunkissed Daisy at 317 First St. has taken over the space once occupied by the former Wildflower Boutique.

Upon first glance, the old look is gone. "There's new paint throughout, and we just got in the first of a planned number of new lines of clothing for spring," co-owner Tayler Nelson said.

"There's a tale to be told, and we would love to tell it," Nelson said. She, along with her mother, Kim, own the new venture.

In its former life, which was short lived, the business closed in early February amidst the controversy of its owner, Katie Rafter, being charged for embezzlement of charity funds.

"The background - this is what we're aware of - Sam (Samantha Boone) was going to sell it back in January and Katie (Rafter) was in the works of buying it," Nelson said.

Nelson and her mother thought that while it might have been a gamble to take over potentially "damaged goods," they were crazy not to. There was some hesitation wondering just how much damage had been done, Nelson added.

"I bet almost once a day, maybe not quite - because we've only been opened Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays - but we had tons of people come in and say they didn't know this place existed," Nelson said. "And then they'd say you're not affiliated with that person who embezzled that money?"

In the end it was "Let's take a risk," Nelson said. "We've always talked about having our own space."

Nelson, a 2012 Rosalia High School graduate, brings her WSU degree in hospitality and business, with a minor in psychology to this venture. "It was the kind of thing where I'm such a homebody," she explained. "I grew up in the area and didn't want to leave."

The business will have somewhat similar boutique offerings to what was there in the past, including 24-hour tanning. Plus it will give Nelson's dad a place to sell his homemade wood projects.

The Nelson's plan on a grand opening taking place over Mayfest weekend in Cheney, which occurs May 12-13.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Sunkissed Daisy is located at 317 W. First St. Business hours are Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. To contact Sunkissed Daisy, call (509) 592-5233 or email [email protected].

Paul Delaney can be reached at [email protected].