W.H. business owner takes pride in her work

Elinor Organ loves the work she does. And so does the West Hempstead Community Support Association, which recently awarded the local business owner its Business Pride Award.

Organ has owned Women’s Boutique, located right off Hempstead Avenue in West Hempstead, since 1981. But passing by the store, one would have a tough time guessing it has been around since the 1950s. The property is clean, well maintained and always nicely decorated. That’s what earned it the WHCSA’s recognition.

“[Organ] has had the entrance beautifully landscaped and the interior of the store is also attractive,” said Rosalie Norton, president of the WHCSA. “We have heard from customers that she and her employees are very helpful and respectful.”

Norton went on to explain that the choice for the Business Pride Award is made on the basis of the appearance of the property and customer satisfaction. Additonally, Norton said, “Ms. Organ … has always shown an appreciation for our community and her customers.”

Aside from looking great, Women’s Boutique serves a great purpose: it provides post-mastectomy products, including breast prostheses and surgical bras, as well as wigs for women undergoing chemotherapy and bras for full-figured women and those who have undergone breast enhancement and other surgeries.

“We generally help women who can’t find what they need at the department store,” Organ said. “So, if a woman has a problem, this is where she would want to come.”

At 72, Organ has been working in this field for many years. “I grew up in the business,” she said. “My mother did this before me.” Organ used to go to her mother’s store, The Cinderella Shop in Far Rockaway, every day after school. “This is what I knew,” she said. “It was my second home.”

Eventually, her mother relocated and became the manager of Women’s Boutique, which was owned by someone else at the time. Later, Organ decided to purchase the business and make it her own. “I just always loved helping women,” Organ said when asked why she decided to buy the store, which holds accreditation from the American Board For Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics.

Women’s Boutique has also been recognized by the American Cancer Society: in Oct. 1990, the organization presented Organ with an Award for Excellence for outstanding assistance in the cause of cancer control. American Breast Care, a manufacturer and wholesaler of post-mastectomy bras, breast forms and accessories, recently presented Women’s Boutique with a certificate of appreciation for its “passionate dedication in helping women lead fuller lives after breast surgery.”

While Organ appreciated the recognition she has received for her work, she was very pleased with the WHCSA’s acknowledgement.

“I think it’s wonderful. I think somebody was paying attention and we work hard to keep everything beautiful and comfortable,” Organ said, noting that the property is always nicely landscaped and decorated with flowers. Inside the store, Organ and her four employees change the decorations for the holidays and seasons.

“We keep it very pretty, very feminine,” she said. “I think it’s very important. People walk through the door, I want them to look at us and the store and see that they’re in the right place.”

And the WHCSA certainly was paying attention. “Women’s Boutique is one of those community businesses which sometimes goes unnoticed and really should be a shopping destination for women looking for personal items,” Norton said. “The business is a good example of why we keep promoting the ‘shop locally’ concept.”

It appears that women are shopping locally — at least at the Women’s Boutique. “We’re very busy, unfortunately,” Organ said. “Women need help: a lot of women [are] undergoing chemotherapy, a lot of women [are] having breast surgery.”

The shop opens at 10 a.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and Organ plans to be there as often as possible. She said she has “no intentions of retiring. I love what I do.”

For more information, visit www.womens-boutique.com or call (516) 292-1320.