Like many students, Kate Compton said she found her dream job while attending college. As the Boerne native began courses to become a physical therapist, she took a job in a local boutique.

“I ended up managing the boutique and completely loved it,” she said. “I was really good about fashion merchandising, and [the career] clicked.”

Eve Couture maintains three locations, including the store in Westlake.[/caption]

Compton is the owner of Eve Couture, a women’s clothing and accessories boutique with three locations across Central Texas. In June, the Westlake shop will celebrate its first anniversary.

“I looked [for a store site] in Austin for a really long time,” Compton said. “I looked downtown [and] at the Domain, [but] everything seemed so commercialized and not the small-town feel that I like. Somebody told me about this Westlake space, and I immediately loved the area because it has the same feel as a small community.”

With her other two locations situated in nearby small towns—Fredericksburg and Marble Falls—Compton said the business growth in Westlake has been slower than the other Central Texas sites but is steadily growing. The original store in Marble Falls, she said, took off as soon as it opened. Six months later, she opened a shop in Fredericksburg, and the tourism of the area helped jump-start the business and prompted the move to Westlake.

“It’s a steadiness [in Westlake],” Compton said. “It’s lots of loyal customers who return.”

With a variety of casual wear, active wear, shoes and accessories, Compton said most items are under $50 and meet the fashion wants of women across ages and clothing styles.

The women's clothing boutique also features shoes and accessories.[/caption]

“Inventory is constantly changing,” she said. “I like to refresh and move it out. I think what we try to do is bring whatever the ‘in-style’ and ‘in-fashion’ is and make it available for everybody.”

In both Westlake and Fredericksburg, Eve Couture also sells clothing for girls ages 5-13.

“I really want to create a fun place for moms and daughters to shop and husbands to get gifts,” Compton said.

Customers are treated to wine, champagne, or non-alcoholic beverages for children and teens while they shop. Patrons can book private shopping parties after hours for a more personalized experience.