Last Christmas, Calli Ruffertshofer got the gift of a lifetime – the keys to her new boutique business,
Fran & Dot.
Ruffertshofer, who teaches 8
th grade English and student leadership at Freeland Public Schools, didn’t have immediate plans for opening her own business. She was content being a loyal customer at Panache, a boutique store that opened in Downtown Bay City in 2016.
While shopping, she enjoyed talking with owner Lana Johnson.
“We’d always get into the conversations about how it was always my dream to own a boutique, and I love style,” Ruffertshofer says.
Then, one Sunday late in 2024, Johnson called and told Ruffertshofer she planned to sell Panache’s location at 214 Center Ave. The Bay City outlet was a second location for Panache, which is based in Reese.
“I only knew them through being a frequent customer,” she says, but she agreed to purchase the boutique and on Dec. 24, she took over ownership.
“I always loved their style,” Ruffertshofer says, adding that Panache customers will recognize much of what they see at Fran & Dot. “I am pretty much sticking with the same vendors.”
One new feature is a small customization business that Ruffertshofer was running from her home. Now, it occupies a corner near the front door. “I do customizing, like denim jackets, sweatshirts, and hats.” She also makes dog bandanas. “It’s nice to have it all here now.”
The name on the outside of the store also is meaningful to her.
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Photo courtesy of Fran & DotFran & Dot is named for the owner's grandmothers and each woman's personal style inspires what you'll find inside the Downtown Bay City boutique.“My grandmothers were Frances and Dorothy, and so my mom came up with the idea of shortening their two names. Both of my grandmothers had style,” Ruffertshofer says.
Each woman’s style was different, so Ruffertshofer tried to bring a bit of each of them into the boutique.
“My Grandma Dot, Dorothy, was very into the bling and the jewels and the pearls, which I love that too,” Ruffertshofer says. “And my Grandma Frances was very much high quality, so it didn’t have to be as blingy and shiny, but it was very high quality.”
Ruffertshofer may have named the shop for her two grandmothers, but that doesn’t mean the styles won’t fit someone younger.
“I think it’s the style for all ages,” she says.
She plans to fill the space with items for everyone from middle school to middle age to seniors.
Ruffertshofer says the range of options helps her with one of the best parts of her job – helping her customers find their style.
“That’s what I like to work with people on. People think they can’t or shouldn’t wear something. I’m like just try it on and then work with it a little bit.”
She relates that she had a customer recently who liked the look of a particular sweater, but thought it was too long and wouldn’t fit right. Ruffertshofer asked permission to tweak the look. She ended up cuffing the sleeves and making other small adjustments that maede all the difference. The customer loved the new look.
That moment epitomizes the kind of personal attention that Ruffertshofer got as a customer and what she hopes to deliver as a business owner.
While style, bling, and personal service are the hallmarks of Fran & Dot, Ruffertshofer says it’s not all work and no play inside the shop.
“I do usually have my puppy here,” she says.
Her Boston Terrier’s name, Eleanor Rose, comes from her grandmother’s middle names. Eleanor Rose has become a mascot for the shop.
“That’s our thing that’s kind of fun, and so far everyone has loved it,” she says.
Since she works full time as a teacher, Ruffertshofer hired two former staffers from Panache. Ruffertshofer is at the store on Saturdays and whenever she has free time. For hours, information, and to check out the latest styles, find Fran & Dot on
Facebook.