LUNDON DUNBAR IS THE OWNER OF LUNDON BOUTIQUE. (PHOTOS BY ROB TAYLOR JR.)
The holiday season is upon us, and the next time you travel to The Mall at Robinson, take note of the four Black-owned businesses there that are making their mark, aiming high on the success meter each day in front of a diverse group of shoppers.
by Maia Williams
For New Pittsburgh Courier
In September 2023, Lundon Dunbar reopened Lundon Boutique, her women’s clothing store, at The Mall at Robinson.
The reopening marked a new start after relocating from Ross Park Mall following the tragic loss of her fiancé, Derwin Milligan, in a car accident in 2022. The couple was together for 13 years and Dunbar continues to honor his legacy through her dedicated work at the boutique.
“I just felt like I shouldn’t give up. He wouldn’t have wanted me to,” Dunbar told the New Pittsburgh Courier. “I know he believed in me and he supported any idea that I had.”
Dunbar’s entrepreneurial spirit was influenced by her father, who owned a convenience store when she was a child. Dunbar’s journey as a business owner began in 2011 when she started hosting jewelry parties. As it grew, she expanded to offer a variety of accessories and later, clothing. “I used to meet up with people who wanted the items right away, and it became overwhelming, so I realized I needed a store,” she said.
LUNDON DUNBAR STANDS NEXT TO SOME OF HER MOST POPULAR DRESSES IN HER STORE.
Lundon Boutique offers a variety of women’s apparel from shoes, handbags and accessories. The store, located on the mall’s first floor, is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Adapting to the mall’s schedule has been an adjustment for Dunbar, who said the foot traffic is a significant advantage. “You have to be here. You have to be on time, and you have to close on time,” she said. “I think the pluses of being in the mall is that you get way more foot traffic.”
Dunbar values her customers and takes pride in helping them feel beautiful. “I listen to them and what they’re looking for. I’m open to their suggestions,” she said. “I love making people feel beautiful. Some customers come in on their birthday with no idea what they want to wear.” She added that it brings her joy using her eye for style to help them choose the perfect outfit.
A common challenge Dunbar has faced as a small business owner is how some people who know her tend to ask her to discount her store items, but then fully support other small business owners they don’t even know personally.
“They don’t realize how much time and effort we put into it,” Dunbar told the Courier.
Despite the challenges, Dunbar encourages aspiring Black entrepreneurs to trust their vision. “You just have to have faith, believe in yourself and your vision, and work hard every day.” She emphasized the importance of staying open-minded and accommodating to customers. “You’ll meet people from all different walks of life and you have to incorporate that into your business because that’s who you need to grow your business.”
Step into Lundon Boutique, and you’ll see that dresses are a customer favorite. They’re always being purchased for events and special occasions like birthdays and weddings. Dunbar adjusts her inventory based on peak seasons such as homecoming and prom. She also engages with the community through pop-up shops and hopes to expand the business to where she can hire a full staff.
“I would just really love to be able to build the store up to where I wouldn’t have to work here anymore,” Dunbar said. “I could just provide jobs for the community.”
About Post Author
