ROCHELLE — Midwestern Clothing Company was officially welcomed to the Rochelle business community with a ribbon cutting at its new storefront downtown at 413 W. 4th Ave. on Wednesday. 

The brand sells women’s clothing and opened its doors earlier this month. The shop is open Tuesday through Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. 

The business started nine months ago as an online boutique. Owners Haley and Kelsey Kersten and Alyssa Fortson were surrounded by family, city and chamber of commerce officials and community members Wednesday. 

“We're super excited and super grateful,” Haley said. “We've been welcomed with open arms already and we can't wait to carry on. Thank you to the chamber and the city and the owners of the building for this amazing space. It was screaming to be something. We're super excited we get to be the lucky ones in here and thank you all for coming. It means a lot to us."

City Councilwoman Kate Shaw-Dickey attended the celebration and said the city could not be more proud or excited to have a clothing store back in its downtown. 

“We have some amazing businesses down here and this one is such a great addition and such a great complement to all the things we're trying to do here,” Shaw-Dickey said. “On behalf of the city, welcome to downtown Rochelle."

Rochelle Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Tricia Herrera said her organization has been fortunate to work with the Kerstens and Fortson since their business’s inception. 

“We're so proud of you girls and we're very happy you've brought a clothing store back to downtown Rochelle,” Herrera said. “And they were just winners of our Welcome to Rochelle award at our annual dinner. We hope you continue to grow."