When Jessica Ware opened the doors to Lennie + Remi Children’s Collective, she wasn’t just launching another Lowcountry boutique. She was creating a destination for families who wanted their children’s wardrobes to reflect both comfort and style.
Nestled in the heart of Bluffton at Washington Square, an up-and-coming shopping center on Buckwalter Parkway, Lennie + Remi curates clothing for every adventure, blending effortless California surf style with timeless pieces from France. Each collection reflects Ware’s vision for classic, high-quality children’s wear that feels fresh yet enduring.
Special thanks to our adorable models: David Kroha, Lenox Ware, Remi Ware, Peyton Szady, Austin Long, Hattie Taylor, Laurel Welch, Elin Welch, Hoyt Wilson, Bridget Kostrzewski, Winnie Kostrzewski, Hadley Kostrzewski and Palmer Pritchard
“I’ve always wanted a boutique since I was a little girl,” Ware said. “I went to school for fashion merchandising and retail management, and after graduation, I interned in New York for a fashion industry magazine. Later, I worked for companies like Nordstrom and Abercrombie as a visual merchandising manager.”
Those years in the fashion world gave her a solid foundation, but her dream simmered until she found the right moment – and the right inspiration.
When she became a mom, Ware saw a chance to expand what was available for local families. “There are some wonderful children’s shops here,” she said. “If you’re looking for that classic, smocked, Southern style, you’ll absolutely find it in town. Lennie + Remi just brings a different vibe – a mix of relaxed beach vibes and timeless European pieces that feel a little more modern and effortless.”
Nestled in the heart of Bluffton at Washington Square, an up-and-coming shopping center on Buckwalter Road, Lennie + Remi curates clothing for every adventure, blending effortless California surf style with timeless pieces from France.
Ware’s transition into boutique ownership was shaped by a mentorship that came at just the right time. After moving to the Lowcountry, she worked for Michelle Taylor at Birdie James, a well-known women’s boutique on Hilton Head Island. “Michelle pretty much taught me the ins and outs of owning a boutique,” Ware said. “Inventory, buying, all the behind-the-scenes. … That experience was invaluable.”
When Taylor opened her second Birdie James location in Washington Square, Ware admired how she had brought her vision to life. Now, as neighbors in the shopping center, the two have come full circle – once mentor and mentee, now neighbors and fellow boutique owners shaping the local retail scene together.
Ware admits that her initial love was men’s fashion, having spent her internship immersed in menswear design. But Bluffton wasn’t the right market for it. “Men’s and women’s clothing is already well covered here,” Ware said. “But with kids’ clothes, there was an opportunity. Parents here wanted options, and I knew I could bring in brands that would stand out.”
Lennie + Remi is a mix of relaxed beach vibes and timeless European pieces that feel a little more modern and effortless
Her selections are influenced not just by her fashion background but also her upbringing. “I grew up in France,” she said. “When I found French brands at the Los Angeles market, they really captured my childhood and my sense of style.” Pairing those styles with California-based surf brands that reflect the laid-back Lowcountry vibe, the boutique’s collection feels both worldly and rooted in coastal culture.
The result is a style Ware describes as “Lowcountry, European-influenced, beachy, but more classic – not super trendy.” Moms often tell her they wish the clothes came in adult sizes. “I hear that all the time,” she said.
Austin Long models a cute look from Lennie + Remi.
The Story Behind the Name
The boutique’s name is a family affair. Lennie and Remi aren’t abstract branding choices. They are Ware’s children. “Lennie is short for Lenox, my almost 4-year-old son, and Remi is my 15-month-old daughter,” she said. The kids also appear in marketing photos on the store’s website, alongside friends’ children modeling seasonal looks.
“The little boy and girl at the bottom of the homepage – those are mine,” she said proudly. The boutique is not only named for her kids but also built with them in mind, a reflection of how her personal journey as a mom shaped her professional dream.
Lennie + Remi opened in late November last year, just in time for the holiday season. But Ware chose to delay the official anniversary celebration until January. “The holidays are so busy,” she said. “In January, there’s nothing going on, so I’m planning our one-year celebration then.”
That milestone represents more than just a year in business. It’s the fulfillment of Ware’s childhood dream of owning a boutique
Jessica Ware with her children, Remi and Lennie.
More Than Clothes: Building Connections
One of the unexpected joys of boutique ownership has been the community that forms inside the shop. “It’s really great when little kids come in and tell you how much they love your store,” Ware said. “One little girl – she was maybe 4 – told her mom that my store was her favorite and that it was way better than Target. That was so cute. For kids, Target is usually the best thing ever!”
Meeting all the parents and grandparents who come into her store is a highlight for Ware. “I love hearing about their kids and grandkids – just socializing with them in the store makes it special,” she said. “Forming connections is what it’s really all about.”
Ware’s mission is simple: To help children feel confident and inspired through clothing that reflects their personalities and encourages adventure. From newborn to size 12, Lennie + Remi offers thoughtfully selected pieces that grow with a child’s size – and their adventurous spirit. The tagline “Clothing for Every Adventure: Where style meets imagination – clothing made to inspire each child’s amazing journey” captures that mission perfectly.
“Ultimately, I want children to feel comfortable in what they’re wearing,” Ware said. “I want them to find something they love, something they feel themselves in.”
That philosophy is woven into every rack and display inside Lennie + Remi. Whether it’s a classic French-inspired look, a breezy surf-influenced outfit, or a timeless piece that could be passed down, the boutique is about more than fashion. It’s about the stories kids will write while wearing those clothes.
With the first anniversary approaching, Ware is excited for what’s next. She envisions expanding her offerings while staying true to the boutique’s identity: classic, adventurous, and curated. For now, though, she’s grateful for the journey so far.
“Opening Lennie + Remi has been everything I dreamed it would be,” she said. “It combines my love for fashion, my background in merchandising, and my life as a mom. It feels like the perfect fit.”
In a retail landscape where big-box stores dominate, Lennie + Remi Children’s Collective offers something refreshingly different. It’s a place where imagination meets quality, where parents can find unique pieces that tell a story, and where children can feel seen, stylish, and comfortable.
“Clothing for every adventure means whatever journey your child is on,” Ware said. “Whether it’s building sandcastles at the beach, celebrating a birthday, or just playing outside, they’ll feel great in what they’re wearing. And that makes all the difference.”
As Lennie + Remi celebrates its first year, it’s clear the boutique is more than a shop. It’s a reflection of Jessica’s journey, her children’s namesake, and a growing community’s newest treasure.
Find Lennie + Remi at 25 Minetta Lane, Suite 101 in Washington Square on Buckwalter Parkway. Hours are Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
To learn more, call (843) 705-0956, visit ShopLennieXRemi.com or find them on social media @shoplenniexremi.
