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    Shop Talk: Custom Formal Wear Finds a Home at Downtown Boutique

    Handcrafting doll clothes and selling them out of her lunchbox in elementary school was just the beginning of Joan Madison’s journey in business and design. 

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    “When you’re young, you don’t know what being a designer is, it’s just something I did,” Madison said.

    Joan Madison The Boutique on Third opened at 265 S. Third St., last fall. The shop sells custom evening and formal wear and it is Madison’s second boutique. She opened Joan’s Bridal Couture — a full-service bridal salon — in Reynoldsburg over 15 years ago. 

    Madison’s boutique is part of Common Thread, a destination shopping experience on South Third Street, that features seven local and national brands. The program launched in October 2022 and is a partnership between the Columbus Downtown Development Corporation and the Columbus Fashion Council.

    Originally from New York, Madison continued sewing throughout her childhood and at the age of 13, she made her first wedding dress for her sister’s friend. 

    “I was self-taught but then wanted to learn more about the industry. So then I went onto college to actually learn about the craft,” she said.   

    Madison attended both the Fashion Institute of Technology and Syracuse University. She moved to Columbus in 1998 to work as a technical designer for The Limited, and later on she became the technical design manager for Express. 

    Madison knew she wanted her own boutique, and in 2000 she opened her first store in Gahanna. Due to construction in the area, Madison said the store was short-lived and she eventually returned to The Limited. 

    She continued to search for the perfect spot for Joan’s Bridal Couture, and in 2006 she found it. Located in Reynoldsburg at 7374 E. Main St., the full-service bridal salon carries apparel for the entire bridal party. 

    The Reynoldsburg and Downtown locations are both full-service salons, but a key difference between the two is that the boutique on Third Street is entirely Madison’s collection. The Reynoldsburg shop carries additional brands.

    The design process varies depending on who Madison is working with. 

    “I’m assisting a bride to help her bring out her vision for her special day. So I do add input. Some brides have purchased my dresses right off the floor, but a lot of it is helping someone to achieve their desired look,” Madison said. “She’s coming to me and she has an idea of what she wants, I’m just helping to bring that vision to light.”

    Madison said she loves bridal and evening wear because it’s so specific. Seeing the final product on her client is her favorite part of the job.

    “It lets me know that I’m kind of in my purpose of helping people to achieve that look on their special day,” Madison said.

    Joan Madison The Boutique on Third is located at 265 S. Third St. Madison accepts appointments and walk-ins. The Common Thread business hours differ across boutiques, however, Madison said she is normally in the shop from 12 – 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

    More information about Madison can be found at joanmadison.com.

    Learn more about Common Thread at downtowncolumbus.com/commonthread.

    All photos by Ashley Kimmel

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    Ashley Kimmel
    Ashley Kimmel
    Ashley Kimmel is a freelance reporter for Columbus Underground. She graduated from OSU with a BA in Journalism. Ashley has lived in Columbus her entire life and is passionate about the growing community and supporting small businesses.
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