by Jody Spear and Kelly Meyer –
MASON CITY – Kelsey Boeckmann likes to think of her store, Orange Possum, as “Orange Possumuniquely Awesome.”
Orange Possum was first opened in Hampton in 2008 and now is expanding to Mason City. The new store will be open in Mason City Wednesday. It will be open from 10 AM to 8 PM, its Facebok page announced. The store is located at 1911 4th Street SW, just behind Jimmy John’s across from K-Mart.
Kelsey (pictured) is getting help from her parents, Howard and Guyla Pohlman, her daughter, Ellyse (who is six years old), and a friend/employee, Annie Hopes (pictured, below). She says the store is gaining ground every day. “We like the vintage look, but we have all new apparel,” Kelsey said. They are doing construction, carpentry, furnishing and decorating all themselves.
Kelsey likes to describe the store in many ways. “We have high fashion clothing at affordable prices. We have fun, quirky gifts, tops, bottoms, blazers, basics, shoes, jewelry, handbags and more.”
Kelsey has a wide variety of imaginative ideas that she shows off in her store, on the walls, in her choice of clothing and in her style. “Even the name ‘Orange Possum’ comes from my crazy thoughts. Kind of a joke that stuck,” she said.
Orange Possum has many unique clothing designs, suited for the fourteen year-old girl, the college girl and those of all ages that like to be different. “We love when someone comes in and says I need an outfit for a concert or for any special occasion. We start dressing them, coming up with something new and special just for them.”
Kelsey also owns another store in Hampton. “Come and check out our baby store, The Freckled Dandelion, on Mainstreet Hampton.” Kelsey and her husband, Matt, also have a son named Kash, who is one and a half years old.
The store in Mason City will be managed by Jenna Wiseman. They will be open for the tax-free days of August 3rd and 4th, and will have sales going on those days.
Kelsey explained her decision to expand to Mason City.
“I didn’t pick Mason City for any special reason, other than we wanted to expand to a bigger city. I love small town Hampton, but chose Mason City because we live in Sheffield and I’d be in between stores,” she said.
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Orange possum will be successfully awesome. love the products love the location good luck to all at orange possum.
I hate Rue 21. All the clothes are cheaply made from Taiwan. Not to mention it’s always a mess in that place. Good Luck to the gals at Orange Possum.
Congratulations Kelsey, I will be visiting your store later today. I hope you do well in Mason City. We needed a new independent clothing store with good quality clothing and prices. The clothing at RUE 21 falls apart and fades dramatically after two or three washes.
Hey thatone:
So, what is wrong with tatoos. I’m guessing you do not have any, would never get one, and are aginst peeps that have them. That makes “YOU” the outsider, not the millions of americans who have tattos, and some awesome ones at that.
Congrats and good luck with your business expansion.
Great, more tattoos in mason city . . .
I don’t believe it says anywhere in the article that she’ll be doing tattoos. Nice, free expression and advertisement for her business though. Maybe with her wacky ways, if she has drawing skills and get her permit…who knows maybe she’ll do tats…keep checking “thatone” if she does, she can make you an appointment.
another bad attitude in mason city, just what we needed.
Good Luck to Orange Possum and welcome to Mason City.
Went there today! Great store and great prices! Good luck. I hope Mason City is good to you!