The store, originally opened in 2020 by Ashley Foltz, was recently taken over by Abigail Barroner, a young business owner who is expanding her reach past her original store located in Duncansville, Pa.

Barroner took the reins officially this week, opening the store on Monday and is looking forward to meeting community members over the coming days.

Barroner has 5 years experience in boutique ownership, having opened her first clothing store — WillowBranch, LLC Boutique — in Duncansville in 2020.

Barroner was a freshman in college at Indiana University of Pennsylvania when the COVID-19 pandemic cut classes short and sent her home.

LAURA JAMESON/THE EXPRESS Skeleton Key Boutique is planning to increase its stock of plus-sized clothing.

With school on hold and her job back home in Duncansville closed for a time, Barroner decided it was time to dive into a passion of her’s.

“I was always interested in fashion. I started selling items online and then it grew and grew,” she said.

Soon enough she was opening a brick and mortar location for WillowBranch.

While running her boutique, Barroner earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education and taught middle school math and STEM.

“However, it was becoming increasingly clear to me that my true passion was elsewhere and that God had other plans for my life and was slowly pushing me towards the State College/Lock Haven area,” Barroner said. “I decided to quit teaching to solely focus on boutique ownership and look to expand to more locations.”

LAURA JAMESON/THE EXPRESS Skeleton Key Boutique maintains a wide array of merchandise at even more affordable prices.

Soon enough, the opportunity to take over ownership of Skeleton Key Boutique was presented.

“Not even a month later, Skeleton Key Boutique fell into my lap, and I made the preparations to move to Lock Haven,” she said. “I am so looking forward to overseeing Skeleton Key Boutique in downtown Lock Haven and keeping Ashley’s dream alive.”

Barroner said a lot of Skeleton Key Boutique will remain the same, however she has her sights set on affordable prices and expanding the sizes already offered at the store.

“One thing you should know about me is that I like to keep prices low and quality high. Stocking my store with quality items for every budget is so important to me, and I hope you’ll see that reflected in my pricing here at Skeleton Key,” she said.

She noted she’ll be expanding the boutiques plus-size clothing as well.

“Stocking my store with a nice selection of styles in every size, small-3X, is a high priority. At my shop in Duncansville, our plus sized selection makes up approximately 50 percent of our clothing selection at any given time. I plan to build up Skeleton Key’s plus size selection to be the same way,” she explained. “Overall, my goal is always to have something for everyone so no matter when you come in, you can find something you love.”

Barroner also plans to continue the live shows that Foltz streamed on Thursday evenings on Facebook at “Skeleton Key Live!” Her first live sale for Skeleton Key will take place this Thursday at 8:30 p.m.

Those who would like to preview some of Skeleton Key’s items will also have the opportunity to do so through the business’s app — Skeleton Key Boutique — which is available to download for both Apple and Android products. The boutique’s website will also be up and running again soon.

For those who’d like to meet Barroner in person, you’ll have multiple opportunities soon.

She and her mother, Patricia, will be in the store all week. Regular hours of operation are: Monday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Those who can’t make it during the week can take part in a special grand re-opening and Girls’ Day Out Shopping event this Saturday.

The event will feature a ribbon cutting at 10 a.m.; the chance to shop a variety of new arrivals in clothing, accessories and more; meet Barroner; enjoy complimentary treats and drinks and enter for a chance to win a $50 Skeleton Key Boutique gift card.

“I hope you’ll all stop in this coming week to say hi, and check out all the new items including clothing, accessories (including lots of pretty jewelry) and gift items,” Barroner said. “I am so thankful for this opportunity and absolutely cannot wait to meet all of you and continue Skeleton Key Boutique!”

To keep up with products Skeleton Key Boutique has, visit the app or visit “The Skeleton Key Boutique” on Facebook.