We’ve all felt it: you walk into a chic shop and feel out of place, overwhelmed, and start backing out before you even reach the shoe display. Now shake off that feeling and follow me into a welcoming, beautifully merchandised boutique right in the heart of West Seattle. If you’ve been to Lika Love, you know exactly what I’m talking about - owner Malika Siddiq has built a local empire based on empowering women to feel beautiful, and it shows.

Opened in September of 2015, the Morgan Junction branch of Lika Love (find two other branches in lower Queen Anne and Madison Valley) has quickly grown into a neighborhood hub. So how did it all begin? Malika’s roots spread quickly as a bartender and server at local joints such as Jak’s Grill, where she was able to make deep connections, and learned that relationships are at the core of business.

The vibe of inclusion at Lika Love is so present, it almost knocks you off your feet. As Malika explains, “My mission is to find pieces that work for every body type. Curvy, petite, styles that fit everyone. And also pieces that work together - how many seasons can you wear them, how many ways, functionality. They are meant to live in, not to wear for an hour and feel uncomfortable.” Amen to that.

I feel fortunate to have an entrepreneurial woman like Malika right in our backyard, working hard to unify the neighborhood on the grounds of fashion and positivity. If you haven’t yet, pop into the store and support local business, in true West Seattleite form.

Visit LikaLove.com to shop online (free shipping both ways!) or visit in-person at 6031 California Ave SW C. Don’t miss their every-other-Tuesday fashion shows in person in Queen Anne, or streaming live from facebook.com/LikaLoveBoutique (July 3rd is the next one).