House of Denim Finds a Niche in Bonney Lake

House of Denim, a month-old boutique with clothing by Rock Revival, Miss Me and MEK, is easy to miss. It resides in a tiny tan building with black, white and red trim huddled next to a public storage center off of SR 410. Despite the unassuming location, it has already found a clear vision and customer base.

“We have the after-school rush and the after-yoga rush,” said Traci Norris, one of the owners of House of Denim.

Most of their customers come from the high schools in the area. Both Norris and her business partner, Dorothy Pearson, have daughters in high school. With one at Sumner and the other at Bonney Lake, they already have repute with young clientele, which they encourage with a 15 percent student discount.

House of Denim also get business from employees at and , who must wear jeans to work. has even ordered cargo pants from the boutique for their uniforms.

Norris and Pearson do not have much experience with retail. One worked in accounts, the other at Boeing. Now, Norris handles the bookkeeping and paperwork at House of Denim, and Pearson the merchandising and storefront.

Besides the three designer brands they already carry, they plan to add True Religion. House of Denim also carries jewelry by two local designers.

Although she swore that Pearson is the charismatic one, Norris herself is very friendly. At the store, Norris retrieved new sizes for customers, put items on hold, greeted return customers and gushed about other local shops that have helped them get started. She was helpful with my friends when it came to putting together outfits and taking pictures of them in jeans with sparkly detail.

There were snacks—pub mix and cupcakes—and ice water with slices of lemon and lime set out for customers.

Of course, there are still a few things to work out at House of Denim. Visibility, for one. Norris said that they have a big, light-up sign to put on the roof once the weather gets better.

The space is so small that it is difficult to move around if there are many people in the shop, and they do not have many sizes. They run out of size 25 most often with the high school customers, but I had trouble finding larger sizes as well.

Otherwise, it was a very pleasant experience, and I wouldn’t hesitate to return. I had my eye on some of the jewelry that I hope to get on my next visit.

House of Denim is open Tuesday through Saturday, from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m.