STURGIS - Frustration with trying to buy women's clothing here led Marlene Sheely to try filling the need.

She recently opened Unique Boutique in the Serenity Building, at 950 Main St.

Sheely said the boutique offers items that people currently must drive to Spearfish or Rapid City to buy, including one- and two-piece ladies' dresses.

Other items for sale are long-sleeved blouses, some with rhinestone embroidery. Western-style clothing and silky "peach-skin" blouses and jewelry are also available.

"I want to do something for Sturgis so we don't have to go everyplace else," Sheely said. She said people have been curious and have come in to browse.

The idea for the store came almost two years ago, when Sheely bought stretchy "popcorn" blouses in Casper, Wyo.

Initially, she began offering a limited inventory of such items as reversible skirts and blouses at numerous area shows, but she sought a more permanent arrangement.

"I got tired of packing and unpacking barrels," she said. "I got the idea to start a store."

She said she decided to launch a store in Sturgis because of the previously limited selection available there.

Sheely originally wanted to call her business Marlene's Boutique, but a friend said it would be a bad idea to have the name on a business if she ever wanted to sell. It was her friend who suggested putting the word "unique" in the name.

Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday.