Relocated Columbus boutique is a mother-daughter dream realized. See inside

Burning Red Boutique, the newest addition to the downtown Columbus shopping scene, has opened.

Framed by expansive windows with vibrant displays, the boutique at 1200 Broadway is a mother-daughter dream realized.

Owner Melissa Moore, alongside her daughter Stormy Ewing, has curated a space that mixes fashion, creative gifts and community ties. Moore told the Ledger-Enquirer she hopes her store makes a statement.

“We’re going for traction at the windows, color pops and statement pieces you can’t find everywhere,” she said.

The boutique’s journey began five years ago, when Ewing, a diehard Taylor Swift fan, started the Burning Red brand. The name was inspired by Swift’s song Red and Ewing’s long red hair. She said it started as a booth in another Columbus boutique, Bluebelle Local Mercantile.

“At the time, I had a newborn and wanted a way to earn an income while still being home with my baby,” Ewing wrote in an email to the Ledger-Enquirer. “What began as a side hustle quickly grew into something much bigger, a brand built around confidence, creativity, and connection. Over the years, Burning Red has evolved from that little booth into a full boutique and lifestyle brand with its own personality and loyal community. The name ‘Burning Red’ has come to represent passion, strength, and a little bit of sparkle.”

Perfect home in downtown Columbus

After some early success and a brief stint on Veterans Parkway, Moore and Ewing found what they consider their perfect home downtown.

“A friend of mine actually helped me find [the storefront], Moore said. “I was like, ‘Yes, this is it.’”

Burning Red now is in the former Columbus Axe building, which previously was home to Raymond Rowe Furniture and Big Dog Running Company. Moore said the challenges of the three-month renovation were worth the reward.

“There were a lot of wooden walls and floor torn up, so it was a lot of work,” she said. “But we definitely loved this spot because of the windows. [The boutique] turned out to be something I think downtown needed.”

Moore said the downtown Columbus community has warmly welcomed the new store.

“The response has been huge,” Moore said. “We literally kept the windows covered for three months with burlap, and nobody was paying attention, and then we dropped them like the night before we opened, and everyone was like, ‘Where did this come from?’ … It’s just been nothing but great feedback.”

Burning Red wants to be more than a place to buy clothes

From the start, Moore wanted the store to be much more than a place to buy clothes. With several clothing-focused boutiques nearby, she decided to specialize in statement gifts and unique finds, especially those that reflect moments in life worth celebrating.

Having curated a range of special options, such as birthday and baby shower presents and thoughtfully arranged gift baskets, Moore said she wants Burning Red Boutique to quickly build a reputation as a go-to destination for those looking for something fresh and fun.

“Our customers can even order gifts online, pick them up in store, and have them wrapped and ready,” she said.

Special events also play a big part in the shop’s vision. Within its first months, Burning Red Boutique has hosted a Taylor Swift-themed album drop and a pink party for breast cancer awareness. Moore is planning a holiday open house and dirty Santa bash for December.

“It’s going to be a lot of fun,” she said.

The secret to their creative edge, Moore explained, is their close mother-daughter relationship. Even with Ewing based in North Carolina, she runs the store’s online presence and collaborates on merchandise selections. They are in constant contact, blending different generations’ perspectives.

“She’s in her late 20s, and I’m my age, so we get both perspectives,” Moore said. “That helps us when we’re buying stuff, to appeal to both audiences and not just one specific age group.”

Ewing also emphasized their individual strengths, saying their dynamic is a “fun balance.”

“We talk every single day, sometimes multiple times, bouncing ideas off each other,” Ewing wrote. “I handle a lot of the creative direction, social media, and branding remotely, while she manages the in-person customer experience and day-to-day boutique operations in Georgia. Even though we’re in different states, we’re constantly sending photos, mood boards, and videos to keep our visions aligned. We both bring different strengths to the table.”

Melissa Moore and Stormy Ewing deepen their mother-daughter relationship

Ewing reflected on how managing Burning Red has deepened her relationship with her mom.

“It’s shown me just how resilient, passionate, and creative she really is,” Ewing wrote. “I’ve always known my mom was strong, but running a business together highlights it in a whole new way. I’ve watched her pour her heart into this business, treating every customer like family. Running Burning Red together has taught me how much of her I see in myself.”

Looking at the broader picture, Moore is excited about her shop’s situation. Along with Bluebelle, The Posh Peach, Sissy Boutique and River Oak Boutique, she noted an energetic momentum for downtown to become a shopping hub in Columbus.

“The more that open,” she said, “the more people are specifically able to shop.”

Uptown Columbus on Burning Red’s impact

Tracey Green, director of marketing and communications at Uptown Columbus — the nonprofit organization promoting downtown — echoed Moore’s sentiments.

“When new businesses join Uptown, they gain more than just a location,” Green wrote in an email to the Ledger-Enquirer. “They gain visibility and foot traffic from the neighborhood’s vibrant mix of shops, offices, restaurants, and nightlife. A storefront here strengthens a brand’s image, connecting it with Uptown’s trendy, urban energy. And thanks to the area’s ‘live-work-play’ synergy, businesses benefit from customers who shop, dine, and socialize all in one place.”

Burning Red Boutique is open Mondays through Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Shoppers can keep up with the store on Instagram and Facebook, @BurningRedBoutique.

Customers also can place orders online at their website, burningredboutique.com.

This story was originally published November 12, 2025 at 5:00 AM.