Will County Gazette

A new boutique, Swanqee, will open its doors in DownTown Park Forest with a ribbon-cutting ceremony scheduled for noon on Saturday, September 6. The store is located at 301 Main St. and is owned by Clifton Pickett, who has operated the Swanqee clothing brand for nearly a decade.

Pickett, known as both a DJ and entrepreneur, started the brand based on his stage name and outlook. “I decided to start a clothing brand about eight or nine years ago,” Pickett said. “I took the word ‘swanky,’ which means being elegant and going out, and changed the spelling to Swanqee. Now it represents positivity.”

After beginning with pop-up shops and later opening a store at Navy Pier, Pickett expanded Swanqee into a boutique model that features local artists and independent brands. He chose Park Forest after visiting the area’s downtown district.

“I literally drove down here one day and thought, ‘Oh my God, this is a beautiful place.’ It’s kind of deserted, but it’s beautiful. I see the potential," Pickett said. "After talking with one of the theater owners here, I knew this was where I was meant to be.”

The new shop will sell Swanqee’s original apparel line along with artwork, locally made products, and other boutique items. Pickett also intends to offer small-batch custom printing services aimed at local businesses.

“My goal is to offer something affordable for small business owners who want to print shirts or custom designs,” Pickett explained. “Sometimes people just need 10 or 20, not 100.”

Swanqee will operate Tuesday through Friday from noon to 7 p.m., and Saturdays from noon to 5 p.m., though hours may change as Pickett learns more about customer preferences.

For Pickett, opening in Park Forest is about more than expanding his business; he sees it as an opportunity to contribute locally.

“I believe everything happens for a reason,” Pickett said. “It just takes one person to start something, and it can grow into a brand. I’m very happy to be here.”