Black Business Spotlight: Unique Fashion and Accessories Turns Survivorship Into Style and Community Empowerment in Crystal
Contributing writer Lizzy Nyoike profiles Betty Sanders, a two-time breast cancer survivor and owner of Unique Fashion and Accessories in Crystal, Minnesota, whose decade-long boutique business offers affordable clothing and accessories from $2 to $50 while serving as a platform for community empowerment, confidence and care.
For a decade, Unique Fashion and Accessories has been more than just a boutique. For store owner Betty Sanders, the store represents survival, renewed confidence and community care.
Recently relocated to Crystal, the boutique offers affordable fashion and accessories for shoppers looking for something different without breaking the bank. Sanders said clothing and accessories range from $2 to $50, giving customers access to styles she believes should be available to everyone.
Behind the racks of clothes, accessories and jewelry is a deeper personal story.
Sanders is a two-time breast cancer survivor, an experience she says changed the direction of her life and inspired the mission behind her business.
“When I was going through breast cancer, it was very important that I felt good about myself,” Sanders said. “That was part of my survivorship. If you look good, you feel good.”
That belief became the foundation of Unique Fashion and Accessories. Sanders said fashion is not simply about appearances, but about helping people feel confident, beautiful and uplifted during difficult moments in their lives.
The boutique first began in Sanders’ living room with a small table of accessories before expanding into her basement. Over time, word spread and more customers began visiting her home-based shop, eventually prompting her to find a larger space to keep up with demand.
After several years operating out of her home, Sanders moved into a storefront in Brooklyn Center before later relocating to Crystal. While the journey was not easy, she said perseverance and faith helped carry her through the challenges of entrepreneurship.
One of the biggest obstacles has been securing funding to grow the business and continue serving the community.
“Funding is just not available lately,” she said.
Despite those difficulties, Sanders has remained committed to keeping her prices affordable. She said many shoppers want to feel stylish without spending hundreds of dollars, especially during financially difficult times.
At Unique Fashion and Accessories, customers can find carefully selected pieces designed to help them stand out rather than blend in.
“If you want to look different, come to Unique Fashion and Accessories. You’ll find something unique every day,” Sanders said.
The boutique carries a mix of clothing and accessories for men and women, ranging from casual pieces to statement looks. Sanders said she intentionally curates items that allow people to express themselves while remaining accessible in price.
Her passion for helping women feel beautiful deepened through her experience supporting other breast cancer survivors. The business became an extension of that work, combining fashion with encouragement and empowerment.
“Breast cancer moved me into another phase of my life,” Sanders said. “I’m continuing to work with women, but also to do fashion and make people feel good about themselves and look good at all times.”
Sanders believes her boutique plays an important role in the community and hopes it will continue building confidence, creating opportunities and eventually expanding to employ more people.
“It’s been a struggle sometimes, but I pray and ask God to just give me the strength to continue to be able to move forward in this business, because our community needs it,” she said.
As Unique Fashion and Accessories continues to grow, Sanders is also looking to deepen its roots in the community. The boutique is currently seeking marketing interns, models, sales representatives and event coordinators, and welcomes volunteers interested in fashion, retail and community engagement. Booth rentals are also available for local entrepreneurs, including barbers, braiders, lash technicians and small business owners looking for a space to offer their products and services.
Unique Fashion and Accessories is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. After-hours appointments are available by request at 612-270-7664. The store is located at 5522 W Broadway Ave, Crystal, MN.
Lizzy Nyoike is a Hubbard School of Journalism & Mass Communication student and contributing writer for the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder.