Wantagh Chamber of Commerce honors Seaford businesswoman

Linda Rhoads said that her mission when she opened her business was to cater to every body type. Rhoads, the owner of Uniquely Yours was last year selected as the 2020 recipient at the Businessperson of the Year by the Wantagh Chamber of Commerce. Rhoads was honored this year at the Nassau County Chamber Council on Oct. 29 at the Crest Hollow Country Club in Westbury.

Rhoads started her clothing store, located on Merrick Road in Seaford, in 2016. The store, which sells clothing for bodies of all types and Rhoads aimed at creating an environment where shoppers of all shapes and sizes would be comfortable and happy. 

“I wanted my store to be a warm and welcoming environment,” Rhoads, who previously worked in banking, said. “...We give one-on-one personal attention to our shoppers.”

Employees work closely with customers to match them with clothes that fit their personality, style and body type, Rhoads said.

“We help as much or as little as the customer wants,” she said.

To ensure accurate sizing, Rhoads and her employees make an effort to try on all of the clothes that enter the store before they are placed on the floor.

As a shopper, Rhoads said she always found it difficult to find boutique-style clothing that fit her body type. Its part of what prompted her to open the store.

“I wanted to open a store so that I could treat my customers the way that I wanted to be treated,” she said. “...The best feedback we can get is a returning customer telling us how many compliments they got on the outfit that they bought from us.”

Rhoads, a Bellmore resident of 18 years, said that she chose to open up her business in Seaford since it was close to home. “I’ve always loved Seaford,” she said. “I love the people here and ever since I’ve opened my business, the community has been so supportive. I truly count Seaford as my second home now.”

She said that she loves to give back to communities. It’s why she chose to join the Wantagh Chamber of Commerce, where’s been a member for over four years. Her husband, Legislator Steve Rhoads, is originally from Wantagh.

The Chamber has given her ways to give back to the communities that she loves, Rhoads said. She’s sponsored community and school with the Chamber and donated to local beautification projects.

Rhoads has helped during the pandemic, too: When one of her manufacturers stopped making clothing and switched exclusively to making masks, she sold masks in her store and hand-delivered them to customers.

“When the pandemic hit, she pivoted,” Cathy Powell, president of the Wantagh Chamber of Commerce, said. “She took to distributing many different masks sizes and style for the community and first responders.”

Rhoads also created an entire website for distribution. Once the store reopened and Covid-19 restrictions were lifted, she offered private shop appointments. The website offered her to ship around the world and offered those who don’t have time to in-person shop to get an outfit they need. The store also delivers any orders that are in the area.

The name of the store, Uniquely Yours, comes from Rhoads personal beliefs: “The clothes are different and unique and each person is different and unique. I wanted it to be uniquely yours,” Rhoads said. “I wanted the shop to be different, unique, and have something for everyone.”