Two young woman entrepreneurs, Clarissa Godinez and Glenny Medina, have moved into their very own brick and mortar at 118 Liberty Street, selling clothing and accessories from their different, yet complimenting, stores – all under one roof.

“It’s two different stores, but with the same idea of women together,” said Godinez who was wearing a skirt from Medina’s store paired with a shirt from her own store. “That’s why it works. We don’t compete and we complement each other in a way that’s headed towards the same direction. What better way to do it than with now your best friend?”

The pair didn’t know each other until they both began selling goods at Middletown’s Emporium Square during the COVID-19 pandemic last year. Both of their families have backgrounds in owning businesses, so they were able to learn from them along the way and have their support.

“We met at the emporium and became very close,” said Medina. “We decided we deserve a storefront. We were doing very well so we said let’s try it.”

Since then, they have not only become best friends but business partners who decided to make the jump and operate out of the same storefront. On Thursday, February 25 they had their official opening with a ribbon cutting and champagne toast. Local elected officials joined, including Mayor Torrance Harvey, Councilman Anthony Grice, Councilwoman Ramona Monteverde and Orange County Legislator Kevindaryán Luján.

In fact, Luján was actually one of the driving factors of showing Godinez and Medina what the City of Newburgh has to offer. Luján has known Godinez for years thanks to her parents’ family-owned restaurant El Jalapeño Charro, located in New Windsor.

The pair said they weren’t necessarily expecting to make the jump so quickly – they were thinking in a years time they’d move. However, when the Liberty Street location became available, which was the perfect size and location for them, they went for it and had the place within 30 days of even considering a storefront.

“It was like it was meant for us,” said Medina.

Although Godinez and Medina are not City of Newburgh natives, they have felt a warm welcome even faster than they expected and felt “so much love” with neighbors coming in and saying hi.

“We really believe in Newburgh and we see how family-orientated it is,” said Medina. “For us, not only do we obviously want to be successful and make money, but we want to give to the community.”

Godinez’s store, Kabil & Noil, blends together Mexican culture and craftsmanship with modern day apparel. The clothing (for men and women) includes tees that sport unique graphic prints representative of her culture. Her store also sells shoes (adult and toddler), bags and accessories.

“I have a lot of handmade stuff and it’s all from Mexico,” said Godinez. “It’s artisan work and I work with a lot of people down there. I wanted to bring a little piece of Mexico to here.”

Estilo Muñeca Boutique, Medina’s store, sells trendy women clothing and accessories that are perfect for a night out and dressing up to feel good. She sells everything from matching top and bottom sets, sweaters and skirts to shoes and lingerie.

“I want to cater to women, no matter what size you are,” said Medina. “I want to have something for everyone and have them feel good, sexy and young.”

Both boutiques have a price range from $20 to $90 with an effort to cater to the community and making it affordable for everyone.

“I want to welcome Kabil & Noil and Estilo Muñeca Boutique to the City of Newburgh,” said Luján. “I’m very excited to see a growing number of minority-owned businesses continuing to grow our Liberty Street corridor. This store will be a great contribution to Newburgh’s reputation as a fashion destination in the Hudson Valley.”

The storefront is open Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday from 12:30 to 6 p.m. and is closed on Monday and Tuesday. To learn more about Kabil & Noil, visit kabil-noil.com. To learn more about Estilo Muñeca Boutique, visit estilomuneca.com.