Run by founder Betty Griffin with her daughters Linda Griffin Dietert and Betty Ann Drury, Scruples Boutique sells accessories and women’s clothing in sizes 0-18. According to Dietert, the boutique’s average customer is a size 12-14.
“We are challenged with women assuming, ‘Oh, it’s a boutique; they will not have my size,’” Dietert said. “I want a blinking neon sign to say ‘Come to Scruples. ... Let us make you beautiful.’”
Griffin opened her first store in 1979, growing her brand to include four locations; one each in Champions, Memorial, downtown Houston and Kingwood. After the 1980s Houston oil bust, however, Griffin opted to consolidate the four locations into one Champions-area store.
“Betty Griffin always had an amazing sense of style and always had a creative entrepreneurial spirit,” Drury said. “She combined her warm personality/customer service skills with her talents and was a success.”
Griffin’s daughters came to work for the boutique later on—Dietert in 1999 after a nine-year career with UPS and Drury in 2014 after all of her children were off at college.
In addition to in-store shopping, Scruples has a website on which items such as shirts, dresses, jackets and accessories are sold according to item type or brand. Customers can purchase items and pick them up in person or choose to have them delivered. Purchases can be shipped across the U.S. and to U.S. territories.
Now, with over 42 years in business, Griffin said Scruples has developed a loyal patronage, and the shop sees customers ranging from ages 20-90. A few tricks to staying in business so long, Griffin said, are working hard, finding good employees and treating customers with respect.••“Love what you do,” she said.
Another key to long-term success is giving back to the community, Griffin said. When Hurricane Harvey hit the area in 2017 and many were left with only the clothes on their back, Scruples gave away 2,000 outfits to 500 women in need.
“We contacted our vendors and were able to dress over 500 women in our area with five new pieces of Scruples clothes,” Drury said. “It was a five-day event and helped so many women.”
Over the years, Griffin has also been honored for her community work by local nonprofits Northwest Assistance Ministries and the Cypress Creek Christian Church and Community Center, Dietert said.
“You get back what you give,” Griffin said.
Scruples Boutique
5446 FM 1960 W., Houston
281-537-0405
www.scrupleshouston.com
Hours: Mon.-Sat. 11 a.m.-6 p.m., closed Sun.
