A man with a deep voice and a thick, Texas accent walks into Callie’s in Pecan Plaza in Temple, TX, and asks Misty Dollar, who owns and operates the store, if she can help him find something for his daughter’s birthday. Although the man seems lost in a sea of women’s gifts and children’s clothing, Dollar helps him navigate through the store and find the perfect item.
This kind of customer service is just part of the reason that Callie’s has become such a popular shop in the area.
It began 15 years ago as a gift shop inside the Pink House on Avenue H in Temple.
“There was a restaurant and a gift shop inside the Pink House,” Dollar said. “When the restaurant closed, the former owner moved the store to Pecan Plaza next to the (Ye Olde English) bakery.”
Dollar, who had worked in Dallas doing marketing and advertising for shopping centers found that Temple didn’t really have a market for her chosen career. But when she met Callie’s original owner at church, she knew she was headed in the right direction
“I started working for [the former owner] and when she was ready to retire, I bought the store from her.”
While the first owner had some baby items along with women’s gifts, it wasn’t until Dollar took it over seven years ago that it became a 
flourishing children’s clothing store with unique items Bell County moms and grandmothers just had to have.
“At the time there were no other children’s or baby stores in town,” she said. “Anytime we got any children’s or baby stuff it just flew out the door. We could really see there was a need there.”
Callie’s eventually began carrying more and more children’s brands like the Tea Collection, Kickee Pants, and Kissy Kissy. But even though she carries these popular brands, she likes to find unique items that set her apart from other stores.
“I try to keep a store that is what [parents and grandparents] need and where they want to shop,” she said.
Callie’s is located at 1401 S 31st Street, Suite A, in Temple. For more information visit the store’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/calliesboutiquetemple/ or call (254) 770-0511.
Click to learn more about Callie's Boutique.
Jessa is the Editor-in-Chief of Hooray for Family and the mom of three energetic children. She has a BA in Mass Communication/Journalism from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, and is a long-time resident of Central Texas. When she isn't writing and editing, she enjoys playing board games with her kids, teaching Sunday school and channeling her creativity into craft projects.
