FRANKLIN—Southampton Public Schools teacher Debbie Crowder has opened a boutique and gift shop in downtown Franklin.

After doing craft shows for 10 years, Crowder on Saturday opened The Cat’s Meow at 109 N. Main St.

“Opening a shop has always been something that was in the back of my mind,” said the 34-year teaching veteran.

The fifth-grade teacher at Capron Elementary School may retire if the shop takes off.

“It’s a retirement plan,” she said. “I’m hoping next year I’ll get to retire.”

Long-time friend and customer Beverly Brown was one of Crowder’s first customers Monday.

“I think it’s awesome,” Brown said. “I think it’ll do well in Franklin.”

The store specializes in women’s and children’s clothes as well as handbags and jewelry.

“I wanted to bring things here that you can’t find down here,” Crowder said.

Her husband, Dennis; her mother, Betty Modlin; and sons, Ben, and his wife, Sara, and Justin and his wife, Alaina, helped get the store off the ground.

The Cat’s Meow will have a grand opening at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 21. The store is open 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.