Richmond, Va. — September 17, 2026 — Erma Jean, a locally owned women’s boutique in Short Pump, has been named The Best Local Women’s Clothing Store in the Richmond Times-Dispatch’s 2026 “The Best” awards.

The annual reader-driven program recognizes local businesses, services, and organizations across the Richmond region. After advancing through the nomination and voting process, Erma Jean was selected by Richmond Times-Dispatch readers as the category winner.

For co-owners Lauren Llewellyn and Katelyn Peretti, the recognition represents much more than a business award.

“We’re incredibly honored to be named The Best Local Women’s Clothing Store,” said Llewellyn. “But what makes this recognition especially meaningful is knowing that it came from the women in our community who have chosen to shop with us, recommend us to their friends, and trust us to help them feel good in what they wear.”

Erma Jean was founded in 2019 by sisters Lauren Llewellyn and Katelyn Peretti and was named for their grandmother, who worked in a clothing store and had a gift for helping women feel confident in what they wore. The sisters opened their Short Pump storefront in 2022 after beginning the business online.

Today, Erma Jean focuses on helping women find clothing that works for their real lives through curated merchandise and personalized styling guidance. The boutique has styled more than 3,000 women and has built a customer base with a strong emphasis on relationships, repeat visits, and word-of-mouth referrals.

“We've always believed that getting dressed shouldn't feel stressful,” said Peretti. “Our goal is to slow things down, ask good questions, listen, and help each woman find pieces that make sense for her life. Being recognized by the women in our own community is incredibly special to us.”

The Times-Dispatch recognition comes after Erma Jean was also named Best Women’s Clothing Store in Central Virginia by Virginia Living in its 2025 Best of Virginia awards.

Rather than treating the recognition as a reason to simply celebrate the business, Erma Jean plans to use it as an opportunity to thank the customers who made the honor possible.

The boutique will host “Because of You,” a customer appreciation celebration, September 25–27 at its Short Pump location.

“An award like this has our name on it, but it really belongs to the community that has supported us,” said Llewellyn. “We want to celebrate the women who have walked through our doors, brought their friends, shared our story, and allowed us to be part of so many different seasons of their lives.”

Erma Jean is located at 11741 W Broad St. in Richmond, across from Short Pump Town Center. The boutique offers women's clothing, accessories, shoes, and complimentary personal styling consultations.