Meet the Owner

Hi, I am Kari (Townsend) Lempka, the grateful owner of 6th & Broadway Clothing and Décor. 

Here is my story…

I’m home-grown; right here in Alexandria. Lincoln Elementary, Central Junior High and Jefferson Senior High Schools hold many memories for me! Noonan’s Park, Downtown Alexandria and Lake Latoka are a few of my favorite places around the area. My life foundations were built here. What a great town from which to launch into life! After graduating from Jefferson Senior High School in 1994, I took a big leap from Alexandria to begin my journey.   

I married my high school sweetheart, Scott Lempka. Scott’s support of this business is unwavering. Together, we have navigated job changes, parenting, health struggles and many home relocations including Spokane, WA and Elk River, MN. Now we are experiencing the added joy of bringing our family of 5 (add in 3 precious children) back to the city we both consider home! We have a new and deeper appreciation for our childhood hometown of Alexandria and the surrounding communities, which have flourished and grown so much! After 25 years away, it’s the connections (& reconnections!) with the people here that have been the most fulfilling. And, of course, the LAKES!!!

After high school, my higher education at the US Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO, grounded me academically and gave me wings to team up, lead and serve with the best. The Air Force taught me so much and I’m grateful for my 5 years of active duty service as an aircraft maintenance and logistics officer. I have come to base several of my boutique’s team core values on the foundations I experienced during my military time: be dependable, be trustworthy, serve others, be encouraging and be a team player.

November 2001: Kari pictured in the boom pod of a KC-135 Stratotanker refueling aircraft flying over Afghanistan supporting Operation Enduring Freedom

My faith in God plays a big part in my life. Trust in and dependence upon Him has carried me through many difficulties and celebrations. I believe God gave this business to me to be a blessing to others.   

During the summer of 2019, while back in Alexandria visiting family, I drove by the Garden Gallery on the corner of 6th Ave and Broadway where a big sign in the window read Going Out of Business. “Oh no....,” I thought sadly. I loved the store and knew this town would really miss it. Then, out of nowhere, a thought very clearly came into my head that this could be a potential business opportunity. I talked with Scott and he agreed it sounded like something I would enjoy and be good at doing.  

So we began the first step in the journey of purchasing and opening the boutique: 6th & Broadway Clothing and Décor. And it meshed my work background in purchasing, ordering, counseling and team-building while being creative at the same time! I feel so blessed by this opportunity. 

I have come to realize this is a means of encouraging the women and people of our Alexandria community. Because confident, strong, loved women create a domino effect that makes their families, workplaces and circles of influence even better. Like a drop of water on the surface of a glassy lake, the ripples move outward.

Jan 3, 2020: The official business purchase closing date. I am holding the new key!

Date Uncertain: Old photo of the northwest corner of 6th Avenue and Broadway Street in downtown Alexandria. Our building is the farthest to the left with the words “NEWS OFFICE” painted on the brick.

Now

2020: The side entrance we “discovered” after a siding replacement.  It felt like an archeological excavation, so exciting to find the original architecture!

As a new boutique owner in January 2020, I could never have anticipated the immediate and unpredictable challenges that I faced. Prior to our planned boutique soft opening, the February 2020 downtown fire (with its smoke damaging and disheartening effects) coupled shortly thereafter with the March 2020 COVID-19 pandemic that mandated business closures, was followed by weeks of customer limitations and mask mandates. 

I was overwhelmed. Thankfully, God was faithful to carry us through. My trust and faith were shaken, but not lost, only strengthened. Armored with grit, prayer and an outstanding team, 6th & B officially opened its doors May 18, 2020!

Spring 2021: Our new store front, awning, and Kari wearing her favorite Liverpool jacket!

July 2021: A fresh paint job, brick repair, new 2nd level windows, and festive decorations to celebrate the 4th of July!

 

MISSION AND VALUES

I have many loyal staff members and supporters to thank, for nothing like this is ever accomplished alone… Symbiosis has become my favorite word!

I have always believed that a strong, effective team is greater than the sum of its individual members. Through symbiosis, we at  6th & B blend our talents with a genuine commitment to meet our customers’ needs. We aspire to make every person feel amazing, confident and loved because we know that each person is very valuable. Our personal connection with you as our customer drives our passion. You will appreciate the high-level one-on-one attention we offer to ensure your shopping experience is positive, fun and successful.

Our clothing selection includes missy, plus, tall and petite sizes to be certain that every woman can look and feel her best! Specialty size and out-of-stock orders are an option, so please ask us about this if you find your size isn’t readily available.

We are honored to be a Destination Liverpool Shop, which allows us to offer you the vast collection of Liverpool Los Angeles clothing. If you haven’t already discovered the fit to flatter comfort of Liverpool, you must let us know. We would be thrilled to assist you!  We love this brand.

 

We welcome you to visit us frequently for enjoyable in-store shopping experiences, browse and shop with us online and be sure to join us anytime we celebrate fashion with special boutique occasions and live social media events. Express your unique beauty and style with our stunning clothing collection, accessories and statement home décor!  Connect with our wonderful team. We love you, are here for you and look forward to serving you!

 

Our ultimate goal is to offer you exceptional, on-trend fashions and décor with style as beautiful as you!

Warmly,   

Kari

 

“Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up, just as you are doing.”

1 Thessalonians 5:11