When you walk into Studio Sandra, the women’s boutique located at 415 E. Fourth Street, and see owner Sandra Rome chatting to customers like they’re old friends, that’s because they are. They are relationships built from years of being in business in a town she grew up in, and where she cut her teeth in the fashion and service industries.

“I’ve always worked in service,” she said. “That’s how you learn how to take care of people.”

Studio Sandra offers creative clothing and goods, with Rome herself providing personalized service. Most of the items she carries are American made, and as for those made in Europe, she knows exactly where they’re coming from.

Customers can find one-of-a-kind designs in clothing, shoes, jewelry, bags and more, and the inventory changes often.

“My store changes all the time,” Rome said. “I like to keep things fresh for my regulars.”

Some of Rome’s customers are people she’s known for 30 years, who now come in with their kids. But you don’t have to be a regular to shop at Studio Sandra. Rome is always ready to help the next person who comes in to find something they’ll love.

Rome is a native Royal Oaker who attended Shrine Elementary and Dondero High School. Like most kids of the ‘80s, she started working early, with one of her earliest experiences being at Frentz & Sons Hardware.

“I worked there when I was 14, and everyone knew the customers’ names,” said Rome, who has clearly embraced that idea of customer relations in her own business.

In high school, Rome started working at Lotus Imports, where she eventually became a manager and a buyer. She credits the owner, whom she says “saw something in me” with fostering Rome’s interest in clothing and fashion. She took Rome with her on a buying trip to New York City, which further grew her interest.

Rome spent many years working for Lotus, cultivating relationships with people while learning the business. But when the store closed in 2009, Rome was at loose ends.

“I was a French major who was working on my master’s degree in linguistics,” Rome said. “Yet I was still wondering what I was going to do.”

Some advice from a dear friend – who has since passed away – gave Rome some food for thought.

“She called me up one day to see how I was doing, and she told me about an article she had read about pop-up clothing shops in New York City,” Rome said. “Her words: ‘Just some food for thought.’ That’s just how she was.”

When Rome became aware of the vacancy on Fourth Street, she made her move, and caught the owner “on a good day”, securing the space. That was in 2011. Fifteen years later, she’s grown the business into a place where her customers know her, and she knows them.

“It took time and experience but I’m now at the point where I can tell just by looking at someone what their size is, and what will or won’t work on them,” Rome said. “But really, it’s not about size, it’s about finding what works best for your body.”

Check out Studio Sandra’s live streams on Facebook, or visit ShopStudioSandra on Instagram for more information.