When women's apparel store Panache shut its doors in the Ropewalk plaza after decades in business, it left a void.

People missed the small, easily accessed, intimate clothing store. That's what Kathy Morgan and Jessica Kelly at the adjacent gift shop, Isabelle's, heard from their customers.

The vacant storefront and feedback got the mother-daughter, owner-manager team thinking.

"We weren't really thinking of doing a clothing store," said Morgan, who also owns gift shop Periwinkle's and the Village Toy Shop, both in Fairhaven. But an opportunity presented itself. "We thought we'd give it a go!"

And, so, Belle's Boutique was born. The pair sought to build a boutique that offers classic, New England styles as well as fun, fashionable, on-trend pieces.

The result, Kelly noted, is that the store appeals to all ages.

"You get a little bit of everything," she said.

Kelly bounces back and forth between Isabelle's and the boutique -- both named for her 16-year-old daughter.

And... so do the customers.

"We've seen a lot of familiar faces" at the clothing store, noted Morgan.

And many thanks from customers happy to have a clothing store back in the plaza.

"It's nice to feel appreciated, and we really appreciate being here," said Kelly. "With the world of Amazon, it's nice to fill this niche."

Belle's Boutique is open Monday through Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The Ropewalk is located at 33 County Road (Route 6) in Mattapoisett.