A Passion for Fashion

Blush Boutique on Military Road in Benton belongs to Sandy and Sarah Baka, longtime Saline County residents. A women’s apparel store, Blush also carries accessories, shoes, candles and paper goods, and is well-known for the lines they carry: Karlie, Chase, Dolce Vita.

Sandy is a native of Hot Springs who moved to Benton 24 years ago when her husband opened the Benton Women’s Clinic. She is currently a nurse at the clinic as well as owner of Blush. Sarah graduated from Benton High School in 2011 and attended UCA in Conway, where she studied Biology. Sarah and Sandy love spending time together, and they decided to open the store so they could do just that. 

“Our goal is for every woman to feel beautiful and confident while she is in the store. We make the shopping experience personal, and absolutely love getting to know our customers,” said Sarah. “Our store is known for impeccable customer service. We build personal relationships with our shoppers and take time to know them and make a personal connection with them. When a customer walks into the store, we really want to know how they are doing—we aren’t concerned with selling them something. We understand that relationships are what make this business—and community—stronger.” 

“If we don’t have what our shopper needs, we send them to another store here in town that has it. We want people to know we care about them and want to help when we can,” said Sandy. 

When asked what Blush Boutique is most known for, Sarah laughingly tells the story of the store’s “magic mirror.” Several years ago during a store remodel, a framed mirror was being moved into the store and sustained a crack in the frame, bending the mirror slightly. Sarah said, “We now call it the magic mirror, and people come into the store specifically to take selfies, claiming it makes them look magically better!”

Blush Boutique participates in the local Small Business Saturday bingo cards, making holiday shopping even more fun for locals. According to Sarah, the hot holiday items for 2020 are “Sweaters, coats and booties—they are already flying off the shelves. We can’t keep them in stock!” 

The store’s social media accounts are active: Instagram is a great way to keep informed about store news and the latest merchandise. The store’s handle is @blushofbenton. 

“We love Saline County so much, especially that it is a community rooted in Christianity,” said Sandy. “I love that Saline County is a close-knit, family-oriented community and there is a strong sense that others are rooting for your business to succeed,” said Sarah. 

In 2017, Sandy was named Volunteer of the Year by the Junior Auxiliary of Benton. Blush Boutique is commonly a proud sponsor of many local non-profit organizations and events, including the Benton Chamber of Commerce, Boys & Girls Club of Saline County and The John 3:16 Rehabilitation Center. Sandy and Sarah are always excited and honored to partner with local elementary schools for their various fundraising activities. “We support our community and are so thankful for how they have supported us through the years. We look for every way possible to help them out.”