GIRARD -- Many stores sell shoes, women's clothing and scented candles, but Kathy LeNeve wanted to

GIRARD -- Many stores sell shoes, women's clothing and scented candles, but Kathy LeNeve wanted to do something different -- sell those items and more under her own roof.
LeNeve had always wanted to own her own business, and she saw an opportunity a year ago when a friend was ready to sell Imperial Shoes in Girard to take another job. LeNeve decided to add her own touches after buying the store, which sold only shoes for about 50 years.
LeNeve lived most of her life in Girard, except for a year when she lived in California and five years in Texas, where she started her family and worked in a leather factory. After a year of living near Riverside, Calif., it took one event to make her decide to return to the Mahoning Valley.
"One earthquake, and I left. It woke us up in the middle of the night, and I decided, we have to go," she said.
Since coming back, LeNeve has donned many hats. She owns A & amp;M Towing and Road Service Inc. with her husband, Nick. LeNeve is also the vice president of the Girard Chamber of Commerce and the Women's Towing Association of Ohio.
She has owned Imperial Shoes & amp; Boutique for a little over a year.
Stocking up
She has stocked the business with merchandise she picked up at various fashion and apparel shows, and her husband has spent time arranging most of the merchandise in the store to her satisfaction. The store still sells women's, men's and children's shoes, but has added handbags, purses, scrubs and other medical wear, costume jewelry and scented candles.
LeNeve gets new merchandise about once a month and attends about four apparel shows annually, buying much of what she sells at her business. LeNeve added that she hopes to travel to New York City and see what she can get there.
LeNeve said it's difficult to compete with the large retail stores, but she gives 15 percent discounts to senior citizens as well as one-on-one attention and opinions that many large stores don't offer.
"Girard doesn't have a business like this. A lot of people don't want to go to the mall," she said.
Customers can also enter a drawing each month in which LeNeve gives away a prize or other item to show her appreciation toward those who shop there.