Boutique owner transitions from foster parent to fashion

Noel Wellington entered foster care at the age of two and did not leave until he was older, nearly 20 years later.

“People will tell me I’m nothing, I’m on drugs like my mother, and things like that,” she said. was breaking through

Aging out of foster care means a difficult transition into adulthood without a support system, often after lifelong trauma, and all statistics are against her, says the advisory group. The National Congress of Legislatures said: Half of foster children who leave the system as they age become addicted to drugs. Quarter doesn’t have a high school diploma or her GED. And more than one in five of her will be homeless.

Wellington made a conscious decision not to go to college because he wanted to avoid debt. She also had an entrepreneurial spirit and loved her job. Between her retail business and her job in home health care, she would often work 80 to 90 hours a week.

And when I was 25, I got into a car accident. Two years later, she received her settlement money and funded her one cent to open her own clothing store, Queens, at 2577 her Avenue in Bailey.

“I never really grew up. ‘And then, a few years later, I got a clothing store.'”

Unfortunately, that year was 2019. So Covid-19 was right around the corner. Wellington had to close shop, but rent and other bills still remained. She stepped up her e-commerce business on her own and increased her following.

Earlier this month, she reopened her brick-and-mortar Queen’s Boutique. She sells men’s clothing, women’s clothing, women’s lingerie, handbags and other accessories.

She admits that it has been a difficult journey to get to where she is, and that more challenges may lie ahead. But she also believes that owning a clothing store is nothing short of a miracle.

“It was a dream come true. I have to give God all the credit,” she said.

Welcome to Buffalo Next. This newsletter from The Buffalo News brings you the latest coverage of the changing Buffalo Niagara economy – from real estate to healthcare to startups. For more information, visit BuffaloNext.com.

Veterinarian Valerie Ciallella and former West Side Pet Clinic Manager Joe Speranza teamed up to start Pawsitive Vibes Roaming Veterinary Care, a mobile veterinary clinic.

Pawsitive Vibes does home visits. This is beneficial for anxious dogs, owners say, and convenient for older clients, those without transportation, or those with mobility issues.

JC Penney of Walden Galleria has replaced the Sephora Beauty shop with its own new concept, JC Penney Beauty. The new store in store is described as being “super inclusive” for all skin tones, ages, races, budgets and hair types.

The new shop will replace Sephora as it transitions from JCPenney to Coles Stores after deciding not to renew contact with JCPenney.

A new Taco Bell has opened at 1175 Union Road in Seneca West. In 31 states he is franchised by KBP Brands with over 1,000 fast food restaurants.

The store is equipped with free Wi-Fi, power outlets, and comfortable seats. The drive-thru has a menu board with an electronic ordering system, which the company says makes ordering faster and more accurate.

Starting January 1, Walmart will no longer provide paper bags for customer purchases in New York State. Shoppers should bring their own reusable bags.

Walmart stores are already bagless in Vermont, Maine and New Jersey.

Check out the latest news on the Buffalo Niagara economy.

across western New York, Health workers have a lot to say About how they survived the blizzard while at work.

Legal marijuana sales began in states Thursdaybut not in western New York due to a lawsuit that led to an injunction suspending sales here.

World Central Kitchen is back Help feed Buffalo’s East Side in response to a blizzard Closed the city for nearly a week.

Wells Enterprises will cut 183 jobs at its Dunkirk plant.This is below the 319 employees the company had previously planned to lay off.

With a three-year contract, Highmark members still have access within the network Care at a Catholic Health facility.

Athenex closes Newstead manufacturing plant As of March 17, all 92 employees have been laid off.

Preliminary efforts are underway prepare for the third stage of a project to redevelop Buffalo’s Northland Complex.

The State Wants Ideas Redevelop prison closed last year in Gowanda.

Federal funding needed to get technology hub program off the ground Included in the year-end appropriations bill before Congress.

costs and benefits: That’s the trade-off at the heart of the state’s proposed climate change plan.

Development agencies hire consultants to come up with How to improve the infrastructure connecting Canalside to the redesigned Centennial Park.

Employment slump in Buffalo-Niagara region caused by worker shortageand local authorities are beginning to look for ways to mitigate the crisis.

Since then, there have been major changes in the state’s energy market. Advisory Board Approves Plan to Reduce Hazardous Emissions.

5 readings from Buffalo Next:

1. Buffalo Niagara economic recovery: The value of all goods and services produced in the region jumped 5.3% last year after falling 3.4% during the pandemic.

2. the bill let me shop: Buffalo Bills merchandise is one of the hottest local gift items this holiday season.

3. How Are West New York Higher Education Institutions Recovering from Covid-19? Some local schools are lagging in enrollment, while others are struggling to attract students.

Four. new life for old stones: How a Buffalo firm is finding new uses for old brick and stone in construction projects.

Five. Big changes are proposed for the state energy marketcould change the way residents heat their homes and cook food in the years to come.

The Buffalo Next team provides a complete picture of regional economic revitalization. Email your tips to buffalonext@buffnews.com or contact Deputy Business Editor David Robinson at 716-849-4435.

Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up to get updates in your inbox 5 days a week.