NILES — When cousins Gladis Palafox and Maria Magana opened Bella’s Boutique three weeks ago, Palafox said she was a little nervous. Then her 10-year-old daughter Jaydy Leal came up with a slogan that helped calm her nerves: “Welcome to Bella’s Boutique, where dreams come true with fashion.”

Such words embody the vision of Palafox and Magana, who had long dreamed of owning their own business together that would offer families affordable clothing without sacrificing the latest trends.

The store, which sells a mix of new and used clothing, is open for business at 1912 Belle Plaza, on South 11th Street on Niles Township.

Palafox and Magana are originally from Mexico and the name of their business reflects their roots. “Bella” means beautiful in Spanish. Both cousins have called the Niles area home for more than 15 years.

Inside the store, a collection of shoes from high heels to boots to sneakers line a mirrored wall. On the clothing racks, clothing is available for babies, children, men and women. The store also sells prom dresses and accessories. Prices range from $1.49 to $50 for items such as prom dresses.

“We have different kinds of clothes, because we get new stuff in every day,” Palafox said. About two years ago, Palafox said that Magana first proposed starting a business together.

“I was like, ‘nah,’” Palafox said. “I thought she was joking.”

But the more she thought about it, the more Palafox liked the idea.

“It was her dream and then I made it mine, too,” Palafox said.

The cousins said they wanted to open a clothing shop to offer area families an affordable option for buying clothing.

“We wanted to help people,” Magana said.

Both Palafox and Magana are parents. Palafox has three children and Magana has six children.

“Kids grow so fast and it can get expensive,” Palafox said. “You know the clothes are going to last for what, three months, and then their feet grow again.”

At Bella’s, customers can also get money back by selling their items for consignment, which offers sellers 35 percent of the merchandise sale.

The dream of owning their own business was one that took a lot of work to accomplish. Both Palafox and Magana were working other jobs and trying to make the boutique a reality. Palafox eventually quit her job with PEI Genesis in South Bend.

She now works part-time as a Spanish teacher and helps run the business. Meanwhile, Magana helped at the business during the day and spent nights working at Duo Form in Edwardsburg, where she continues to work.

It took about three months for the cousins to transform the formerly vacant storefront into a business, complete with two fitting rooms and wall-to-wall racks of clothing.

To further their mission to be a business that gives back, Palafox and Magana said they also plan to make clothing donations to area churches that may be in need. Additionally, the business owners said they also hope to eventually offer free work clothing, such as suits and interview worthy outfits to those in need.

Customers have already been coming in to explore the shelves. Almost a dozen customers have signed up for consignment contracts. Students and seniors are offered 15 percent off of their purchases.

Magana and Palafox encouraged residents to check out the merchandise.

“We have decent prices and people can find brand new and used clothing,” Palafox said.

Bella’s Boutique is open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Saturday. For more information visit: facebook.com/bellasboutiquecc/ or contact the owners at bellasboutiquecc@gmail.com.