If a store could hand you a hit of serotonin, it’d be Simply the Best. I finally made it into this colorful little boutique on Main Street in Old Ellicott City, and I fell in LOVE the second I walked in. Everything’s cute, bright, and cheerfully curated, the kind of shop where you just want to browse every corner.
They’ve even got a charm bar where you can build your own bracelets and necklaces, which is such a fun touch. It’s woman-owned by an Ellicott City native, it sits right on the historic Main Street shopping district, and it’s an easy yes if you love a good boutique wander. I already know I’ll be back for clothing, so consider this your heads-up, Nomsters, this one’s a gem.
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What Makes Simply the Best a Standout Boutique in Ellicott City
Simply the Best is exactly the kind of local shop I love to champion. It’s independently woman-owned by Sophie, an Ellicott City native who started the business in 2021 and moved into the current, bigger Main Street space in 2023. The whole vibe is “colorful, comfy, and cutely curated,” and it shows in every corner.
The clothing also runs inclusive sizing, from small all the way through 3X, so a lot more people can shop the fun stuff. Sophie also makes her own line of hand-crafted, upcycled pieces called STB Originals, so you’ll find things here you won’t see anywhere else. It’s a genuine small business with a ton of personality, right in the heart of historic Ellicott City.
What to Shop For at Simply the Best
The Charm Bar
The charm bar’s one of the standout touches. You pick your base, a bracelet or a necklace, then choose from a whole selection of little charms to build something that’s totally yours. It’s such a fun, personal touch, and it makes for a sweet gift or a treat-yourself moment.
Clothing and STB Originals
The clothing’s what I’ll be coming back for next time. Think tops, dresses, sweaters, and jumpsuits in those bright, happy colors and prints, plus Sophie’s exclusive STB Originals, her upcycled, one-of-a-kind designs. With sizing from small to 3X, there’s a lot to dig through.
Gifts, Accessories, and Extras
Beyond clothing and charms, they carry jewelry, bags, beauty bits, homeware, and gifts, so it’s a solid stop when you need a little something for a friend (or, let’s be real, for yourself). And if you spot a piece you love online, there’s a full online shop too, with free shipping over $150 and local pickup.
If you want to keep the shopping going, Lil’ Thingamajigs is a fun next stop in Ellicott City, a kawaii shop stocked with blind boxes, anime merch, and K-pop finds at the Princess Shopping Center.
What Is a Charm Bar?
If you haven’t run into one yet, a charm bar is a build-your-own jewelry station. You start with a base piece, like a chain bracelet or necklace, then hand-pick individual charms to attach, so you walk out with a custom piece that actually means something to you. They’ve popped up all over lately, and they’re perfect for marking a memory, matching with a friend, or just making something cute on a whim. The one at Simply the Best is a lovely reason to linger a little longer.
The Vibe and Experience
The whole shop is bright, colorful, and clearly run with a lot of love, since it’s essentially a one-woman operation (Sophie notes on her site that life happens, so she keeps her Instagram updated with any hours changes). Beyond just browsing, they do fun extras like a membership program and private shopping parties, where you and your people can take over the shop after hours with a discount and some bubbly. And because it’s right on Main Street, it pairs perfectly with a full Old Ellicott City day. Once you’re done shopping, you’re steps from a ton of great food, and I rounded up my 10 must-visit restaurants in Ellicott City if you need a bite.
Good to Know
- Location: 📍 8104 Main St, Ellicott City, MD, on historic Main Street.
- Hours: Sunday, Wednesday, and Thursday 12 to 5PM, Friday 12 to 6PM, Saturday 11 to 6PM, closed Monday and Tuesday. Since it’s a one-woman shop, check their website or Instagram for the latest, as hours can shift.
- Online: there’s a full online shop with free shipping over $150 and local pickup available.
- Private shopping parties: available by request, an after-hours experience for your group with a storewide discount and snacks (a reservation fee applies as store credit).
- Parking: Historic Ellicott City’s public lots are free, but heads-up, Lot B at the base of Main Street is closed through about mid-2027 for tunnel construction, so use one of the other lots.
Definitely make sure you stop by, especially if you’re already making a day of Old Ellicott City. It’s cute, colorful, woman-owned, and full of pieces you won’t find at the mall, and the charm bar alone is worth a stop. If you love a good boutique wander, I’d pair it with a stroll through the rest of Main Street. And if you want even more shops to hit, my roundup of the best shops in downtown Frederick makes for another fun Maryland shopping day.
If you’re up for a Southern Maryland boutique run too, The Ally Cat Walk on Solomons Island is another colorful, woman-owned shop worth the trip.
Have you guys been to Simply the Best yet? And if you’ve got a favorite cute clothing shop in the DMV, please put me on in the comments, Nomsters, you know I’m always hunting for the next one. Save this for your next Ellicott City stroll, and send it to your shopping bestie.