Crystal Moore grew up in the carnival life, learning from her father that what you ask for should be earned.

“I remember being 13 years old and my dad saying we had to work for our school clothes,’’ she said of her father, Garry Moore, a longtime Mercedes-based carnival company owner. “We put in the work and came home with a good chunk of change.’’

Now in her early 30s, she’s an integral part of helping to run Garry Moore Amusements while pursuing a new business venture that started as a hobby during a lull in the carnival business. It’s Texas Chic Boutique, which is located immediately behind the H-E-B store in Mercedes.

The store is small and quaint – and temporary. Moore has her sights set on opening what she hopes to make “the biggest boutique in South Texas.’’

And it will be in Mercedes. It’s Moore’s hometown and she see sees it as the right place to establish the business regionally as she continues to grow the boutique’s online business.

Finding Something To Do

The carnival business grounded to a halt in 2020.

Moore was long accustomed to being busy, on the road, setting up business and markets for Garry Moore Amusements.

“The carnival wasn’t going last year,’’ she said of health concerns that suspended most public gatherings in 2020. “I needed something to do.’’

Moore directed her energies to starting the boutique. Her vision for the new venture was imagining “someone walking into my closet.’’

On its Facebook page, the shop is described as being a “western/fashion boutique.’’ The selection leans toward women’s clothing, jewelry, and accessories, but there’s also men’s and boys’ inventory as well. Social media via Facebook and Instagram got the business going in 2020. Sales picked up as the year progressed with a common request resonating.

“We got so many calls and messages,’’ Moore recalled. “You need to open a store.’’

And so, she did. Moore’s current store may be small, but it’s resplendent with color and selections. There are hundreds of items filling up a small space and yet it feels cozy, not crowded. For her present location and the one to come, Moore was given choices, but there was really only one option.

“I had offers from San Benito, Weslaco and McAllen,’’ she said of spots for a storefront location. “I turned them all down. Mercedes is home and it’s right in the middle of everything in the (Rio Grande) Valley.’’

Finding A Passion

Mile 2 E Road in Mercedes is where the Moore family has long based its carnival business.

From there, the family business travels to stage carnivals in Texas, Kansas, Colorado and Oklahoma. It’s also the place where Crystal envisions opening a 2000-square-foot boutique in the coming months. It would be an ideal location, just across from the Rio Grande Valley Premium Outlets. Expressway 77/83 is immediately north of where Moore sees having her store built in the near future. Customers from both ends of the Valley would have quick and convenient access to Moore’s boutique.

She’s not leaving the carnival business. Her father is giving her a growing role in the family business. Moore praised her boutique staff and says they will be up to managing the store during her time away on carnival business. The family business is special to Crystal given its history and traditions. The boutique business is new and something that is uniquely her operation.

“The carnival I love, but the boutique is my passion,’’ she said. “It’s something I created and I want it to get bigger and bigger.