A year ago, St. Benedict at Auburndale senior Angelina Maher was opening her Linen Rose fashion boutique inside multiple Painted Tree Marketplace locations. 

Now, the 17-year-old is taking her concept to the next level, preparing to move into her first brick-and-mortar location in the vicinity of Arlington’s historic Depot Square. The new boutique, expected to open early next year, will occupy a 950-square-foot space in a two-story office building at 6280 Chester Street. 

“If that works, of course you know we will expand,” her mother, Maria, said. 

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That’s a fast step for the young businesswoman who was inspired by her mother. 

“I thought of it because my mom would always talk about how she wanted to open a kid’s boutique,” said Maher, who – along with her father, William – set up the business without her mom knowing. The store’s name was inspired by her father’s occupation as a cotton farmer (for linen). 

Linen Rose focuses on young contemporary women’s clothing for ages 15 to 40, including jeans, pants, skirts, dresses, tops, shoes, accessories and more. 

Angelina debuted Linen Rose last fall with an online shop and at a festival at Saint Ann Catholic Church in Bartlett. That led to Painted Tree, which asked Maher if she wanted to also set up shop at their Cordova and Franklin locations. 

Operating the business is truly a family affair, with Maria and older sister, Gabrielle, helping out at the shop; Gabrielle handling social media, and younger sister, Isabella, working as the lead model of the store’s clothes for website and social media purposes. 

“This has brought us all closer because we’re always working together on the business, and we get to go to all the trade shows together,” said Maria. 

The Mahers hope to open in Arlington by the end of January or early February next year, and Angelina plans for more growth in the future. 

Arlington Chamber of Commerce Director Tonia Howell is excited for the new business coming to town. 

“The people with Linen Rose are really wanting to help build up Depot Square,” said Howell. The area around Depot Square is undergoing major redevelopment, with road realignments underway and additions opening soon at nearby Forrest Street Park, including a new amphitheater and multi-use pavilion. 

Maria is proud of how well her daughter is juggling her business and school. 

“She does the order packaging, the photography, even the TikTok, and she gets good grades,” said her mother. “I don’t know how she does it all.” 

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Maria acknowledges that she always wanted to open her own clothing store but had not pursued her dreams. 

“I always tell my three kids to never give up on their dreams,” Maria said. “I tell them, ‘Don’t do what I did’.”