New boutique tailored to single moms opens in Poland

POLAND, Ohio (WKBN) — A new shop opened in Poland on Friday, tailor-made for single moms.

It’s a big day for Heather Fronk after starting Clothed in Strength about a year ago. Friday she cut the ribbon on a brand new boutique, a new space to help serve single mothers in the Mahoning Valley.

“I think that it’s easy to hear that we help single mothers,” Fronk said. “We want to focus on the single mothers because they’re going to be the heart and the soul behind the family.”

The shop offers everything from clothing, shoes and diapers to home goods and toys.

The new space that was once a single-family home right in the heart of Poland is filled entirely by donations.

“I think when we set the standard higher that if I wouldn’t put it on my child, I’m not going to put it on yours. Then it changes the mindset of people and how they give,” Fronk said.

But it’s not just physical goods. The boutique will offer workshops and literacy classes, including help for domestic violence victims and much more.

“I’ve walked through it,” Fronk said. “Even though the situation might not be the same between me and that mother, I can empathize with her and find her the resources that are out there.”

Sarah Orr grew up in the house along Main Street, selling it to Heather to help launch her boutique. Her parents fostered more than 150 children over 34 years.

“They started when I was four years old, it’s the best,” Orr said. “This house went to exactly who it should’ve gone to.”

Her childhood home now in Heather’s hands, but she’s confident her touch offers the proper care to those in need.

“It was very hard for myself and my siblings to let the house go,” Orr said. “But knowing what she’s doing, it’s just an honor, and I think my parents would just be so proud.”

A labor of love with new mission of helping mothers make ends meet.

“To know that so many kids have been given love here. And that we in our own way through our mission are going to do the same thing,” Fronk said.

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