CarMae’s Boutique & More

If you drive down Highway 229 in Haskell this holiday season, you’ll spot it right away…a robin’s-egg-blue house with a bright yellow door, trimmed in Christmas greenery and sparkling lights. Inside, you’ll be welcomed by laughter, scented candles, and the sound of a grandmother’s gentle voice reminding shoppers that everyone deserves to feel beautiful.

Welcome to CarMae’s Boutique & More, a family-owned, faith-filled labor of love where small-town charm meets holiday magic.

For co-owner Donna Elmore, the boutique’s name has deep roots. It’s a blend of her daughters’ names, Carlee and Maegan, two little girls who once played “shop” in their living room, dreaming of one day owning a store together. 

Years later, life and motherhood came first: Maegan became a music teacher, Carlee an X-ray tech, and Donna, a longtime high school counselor, became a proud “Yaya” to her grandchildren.

Then, in a moment of what she calls “divine timing,” Donna said the dream resurfaced. “My girls both said they wished they could do something that kept them close to home and their kids. I said, ‘Well, why don’t we do a business together?’ 

“They laughed and said, ‘Sure, Mom. What kind of business?’ I said, ‘A boutique!’ My husband chuckled, ‘There are a million boutiques in Benton and Bryant.’ And I told him, ‘Maybe so, but there’s not one in Haskell.’”

That family exchange, along with a healthy dose of faith, became the foundation for CarMae’s Boutique & More.

Set right across from Harmony Grove School, the boutique occupies a cozy home rich with local history. Long before it displayed racks of sweaters and shelves of gifts, the house was owned by a former town mayor and was home to a small beauty parlor in its back room. Determined to preserve that heritage, Donna filled the space with vintage touches, pink-and-white curtains and a framed photograph honoring the women who came before her.

“I was scared to paint (the house) anything but white,” she said. “The house meant so much to the community. But I wanted something cheerful, so we landed on this pretty blue. Everyone calls it the ‘Little Blue House in Haskell.’”

Inside, every room tells its own story. There’s the Game-Day Room decked out in Harmony Grove Cardinals and Glen Rose Beavers gear, a Sunroom Clearance Corner for bargain hunters, and a Little Girls’ Room, added after Donna noticed that young shoppers tagging along with moms had nothing to browse. “We want every woman and every child who walks in to find something that makes them smile,” she said.

Unlike larger retailers, CarMae’s doesn’t chase trends. Instead, CarMae’s focus is on size-inclusive apparel, from juniors to plus sizes, because, as Donna puts it, “Everyone deserves to feel pretty.”

Their philosophy extends beyond fashion, too. It’s about connection and care. A signature pink couch near the front window has become what Donna calls their “prayer bench.” Customers often sit to rest, chat, or ask for a word of encouragement.

“We’ve prayed together, cried together, and celebrated new babies and answered prayers,” Donna said.

Faith anchors everything CarMae’s does, from closing on Sundays, to the name of Donna’s Facebook video series, “Table Time.” Twice a week she films short recipe clips encouraging families to gather around the dinner table again.

“As a counselor, I used to tell parents: Never miss dinner-table time with your kids,” she said. “That’s where connection happens. So, now I share easy recipes to make that time a little sweeter.”

CarMae’s has become a go-to stop for local gift-givers, especially busy moms. “If you’ve got a Saturday birthday party in Haskell, come to CarMae’s,” Donna said. “We’ll wrap it and make you look like you had your act together all week.”

The boutique carries a mix of offerings, perfect for teachers, neighbors, or that hard-to-shop-for friend. 

And while you won’t find an online store just yet, the CarMae’s Facebook page is full of activity. The owners go live daily (Tues. through Sat.), showing new arrivals, styling outfits, or just dropping a chat. “It’s how we stay connected,” Donna said. “People message us, ask us to hold things, or send requests when we go to the Dallas market. It feels like a big group of friends shopping together.”

This year marks CarMae’s first full holiday season since opening last August, and Donna says they’re going all out, from festive décor to extended hours and their Christmas Open House event on Nov. 29.

“Christmas is our favorite time of year,” she said. “We want people to walk in and immediately feel joy, like they just stepped into a Hallmark movie.”

For Donna and her daughters, that joy is rooted in gratitude. “When we opened, I told my husband we might not be richer in money, but we are absolutely richer in friendship, faith, and in community. That’s what really matters.”

You can visit CarMae’s Boutique & More at 2704 N Highway 229 in Haskell, or give them a call at 501.317.5120. You can also visit them on Facebook at facebook.com/CarMaesBoutiqueandMore.