Nestled in the heart of downtown Evansville at 208 Main Street, Posh on Main is a vibrant women’s boutique that offers far more than stylish apparel. Owner Vicki Bohleber brought the storefront to life after years of working in retail, driven by a deep determination to run a venture of her own. Having spent seven successful years in business at 330 Main Street, Vicki recently took a bold step forward by purchasing and renovating a larger building on Main Street to expand her women’s clothing line and offer more accessories and gift options. As part of her expansion, Posh on Main now hosts the flagship retail location of Alegria Accessories, while also housing Alegria’s wholesale showroom, office, and distribution center.

Vicki’s entry into women's clothing was a true "sink or swim" moment, as she had never sold retail apparel before. After devoting herself to various jobs over the years, she decided that the next store she invested in would be her own. When she met a prospective partner who owned a women’s clothing store, Vicki agreed on one condition: they had to move it downtown. They opened shop together, but when her partner eventually moved on, Vicki was left to navigate the venture alone. Vicki loved the business and was determined to make it a success.

The road to success, however, came with its share of hurdles. With no prior experience buying inventory, Vicki began attending small trade shows and relied on guidance from a few trusted sales reps who taught her the ropes. Then, just as she celebrated her first anniversary, COVID-19 shutdowns hit. To keep the bills paid, she resorted to selling masks and hand sanitizer from her home. During her first four years running the shop, Vicki was also caring for her parents, and most recently, she endured a 10-week street closure right outside the front door.

Perseverance, a passion for the business, and an unwavering commitment to customer service kept Posh on Main alive. Vicki credits her family for their constant support, along with the vibrant Downtown Evansville community, whose events have turned new shoppers into loyal, long-time customers.

When the opportunity arose in early 2024 to purchase her dream building on Main Street, Vicki knew it would be a massive undertaking. She turned to the Southwest Indiana Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and business advisor Julie Folz in February 2024 to tackle financing, permits, and construction, and later teamed up with SBDC advisor David Jones to refine her marketing strategy.

On July 24 of this year, Posh on Main celebrated the Grand Opening of their new location, with overwhelming support from the Evansville Regional Economic Partnership (E-REP) and surrounding local businesses. The decision was the right one. “I’ve fallen in love with my business all over again in this new location. I am older now but wish I could run this business for many, many years. I don’t want to retire,” Vicki says.

Beyond clothing, Posh on Main serves as a platform for local makers. Drawing from her own, long history in the crafting community, Vicki understands the struggle of independent creators. Posh on Main offers commissioned goods from 40 local vendors, giving them a steady retail home and revenue stream outside of their typical fall markets.

Vicki is beyond thrilled. The new location has tripled Posh’s footprint. Alegria Accessories was able to expand from two shelves to a 10x10 space inside the new store.

Vicki’s advice for aspiring entrepreneurs is this: “Get help at the beginning. Have a solid business plan. Make sure you have something that will sustain itself. Go into it with your eyes open, and with a little luck, stubbornness, and perseverance, you’ll make it work.”

Whether you are looking for a new clothing item, jewelry, unique artisan gifts, or want to support Evansville's thriving downtown community, we invite you to visit the new Posh on Main at 208 Main Street!

If your business is facing an expansion or growth opportunity, you’re invited to schedule a no-cost appointment with your own business advisor. Reach out to the Southwest Indiana SBDC at southwest@isbdc.org or 812-425-7232 to get started.