In a vibrant corner of Pahrump, tucked just a few doors up from Pahrump Station Laundromat on the road leading to the post office, Sunflower Fashions has found a fresh new bloom under the ownership of longtime local resident Laraine Babbitt. Officially taking over from former owner Patti Vitz, who operated the boutique for nearly two decades, Babbitt has brought her own vision to the business since officially reopening in August 2024, culminating in a grand reopening celebration on September 12—her birthday.
Patti, a close friend of Laraine’s, had long run the business with care, but when it came time for her to retire, Babbitt was ready to step in. “I always wanted to buy the business,” she explained. “We had talked about it for a while, and when she retired at the end of June, I spent July getting all the licenses and preparing the store for a fresh start.” After a month of setup, Laraine reopened Sunflower Fashions in August and celebrated the occasion in style with a grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the Pahrump Valley Chamber of Commerce.
The boutique remains in the same location Patti had chosen for the last six years, which Laraine believes is the best spot the store has ever had. With ample parking and a steady flow of foot traffic, it offers the ideal setting to showcase what Sunflower Fashions has to offer. Inside, customers will find a diverse selection of women’s clothing, accessories, jewelry, belts, purses, and shoes. The boutique caters to a wide age range and fashion preferences, offering everything from casual wear to business attire and dressy options. A highlight for many shoppers is the affordability—no item in the store is priced over $49.99.
“I hear all the time from customers, ‘Your prices are great!’” Babbitt shared. “I’ve got lots of blingy items for those who love sparkle, but I’ve also got timeless, elegant pieces too.” One of her most loyal and beloved customers is 99-year-old BJ Hetrick, who wears her bling with confidence and style. “She wears it better than anyone,” Laraine said proudly.
Sunflower Fashions is also size-inclusive, offering garments that range from size 2 up to 3X, something Laraine feels strongly about. “Whether you’re petite or plus, you should be able to find something that makes you feel beautiful,” she said. The store’s current sandal selection reflects the shift into warmer weather, and in the winter months, gloves became a hot item, flying off the shelves when the temperatures dropped. Laraine keeps the store’s inventory fresh, bringing in new pieces two to three times per month and offering regular clearance sales and promotions. She also advertises consistently through local radio and other outlets to stay connected to the community.
In addition to clothing and accessories, Sunflower Fashions offers home décor in the form of handcrafted wreaths. These pieces are made by friends of Laraine, including Star Stewart, who also happens to be a recent first runner-up in the Ms. Senior Golden Years pageant. Stewart’s colorful and seasonal wreaths are not only for sale, but have also been donated to local organizations for raffles, bringing both beauty and benefit to the community. Another local artisan, also part of the Ms Senior Golden Years sisterhood, creates elegant vine-style wreaths, adding further variety to the store’s aesthetic. “It decorates the store beautifully and gives them an outlet without having to rent their own space,” Laraine explained. “It’s my way of helping.”
The Ms Senior Golden Years pageant holds a special place in Laraine’s heart. Her mother, Eileen DaCosta, was crowned in 2008, and Laraine herself held the title in 2019 and 2020. “Because of COVID, I kept the crown a little longer than usual,” she said with a laugh. “Anytime they told me to put on a crown and gown, I was there!” Many of her customers are also part of that community or affiliated with the Silver Tappers, another local senior performance group. Their support, she noted, has been invaluable.
Running the store solo, Laraine has her hands full, but she’s not slowing down. In fact, she’s expanding. Come July, Sunflower Fashions will grow to include the neighboring suite, with plans to create a large, shared entryway between the two spaces. The additional square footage will allow her to diversify her offerings further. “I’m going to include a high-end resale section, possibly with some consignment options,” she said. She recently acquired a selection of stunning gowns, many of them dry-cleaned and in excellent condition—some with the original tags still attached. “These are perfect for events like prom or homecoming,” she added, noting that the demand for affordable formalwear is growing.
Her expansion will also include the addition of junior-sized clothing to serve Pahrump’s middle and high school girls. “Some of the smaller sizes I already carry could work for teens, but I want to specifically bring in more for that age group,” she said. “They shouldn’t have to go all the way to Vegas just to find something stylish.” She emphasized that this new section would feature all-new clothing tailored to juniors, a welcome addition for local families.
Despite some recent slow weeks, which Laraine attributes to broader economic concerns and the busyness of the school year’s final stretch, business overall has been good. “People are tightening their budgets, but I’ve made sure to keep things affordable. You can walk out of here with a beautiful outfit for under fifty bucks—and I still give a 10% discount to all customers,” she said. She also offers gift certificates, making Sunflower Fashions a great option for thoughtful, local gifts. “Anytime a group or organization needs a gift certificate for their organization, all they have to do is contact me and I’ll donate a gift certificate for their raffle,” she added. “Sometimes I’ll do a gift certificate and a blouse for their raffle to help generate more money for their organization. It’s my way of helping out and giving back to the community.”
Located at 1141 S. Nevada Highway 160, Suite 7, Sunflower Fashions is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Laraine made the decision to close on both Sundays and Mondays to give herself two full days off, acknowledging that as a one-woman operation, she needs the time to rest and regroup.
With her deep roots in the community, passion for helping others, and eye for fashion, Laraine Babbitt is turning Sunflower Fashions into more than just a boutique—it’s becoming a hub for women of all ages to find something beautiful, affordable, and joyfully local.
