What happened with the Bling chain, and what business now is replacing it?

After the sudden closing of the chain of 26 Bling stores, founder Nicole Hedges-Campos is embarking on a new venture: Elevated by Nicole.

So first, what happened to Bling, the women’s boutique she started in Scott City in 2008?

“Basically, I just wasn’t involved the last couple of years,” Hedges-Campos said. “I sold a portion in 2020 and over time had a lesser role, and now I’m out doing something on my own again.”

She said there were “a lot of dynamics” and she can’t say much more except she’d rather focus on the future.

“This is a brand-new company.”

The last two weeks have been a whirlwind for her as she scrambled to replace three Bling stores with her Elevated concept.

That includes the former Bling space in NewMarket Square at 21st and Maize Road and the Bling stores in Manhattan and Garden City.

“We wanted to retain employees, so we just got in there and got to work,” Hedges-Campos said. “The store has a whole new look for sure.”

She said she wanted to create a new experience and offer new clothing and accessories, too.

“Since I had a lesser role (at Bling), I wasn’t really buying, so the product is different. The experience is different. . . . I mean elevated is the word.”

She said she’s being intentional with both products and their placements in the stores. She said she’s going to look to customers to guide her on what to stock and in what sizes.

Hedges-Campos said she also wants to be especially intentional with how fast she grows the Elevated concept.

“I’m already getting a lot of people reaching out,” she said of opportunities for more stores.

First, though, “I want to put my heart and soul into these here.”

The NewMarket store opens Saturday, the Manhattan one opens Tuesday, and the Garden City store opens July 5.

The Elevated sign isn’t up at NewMarket yet because it’s still in production.

Like when she opened her first store during the 2008 economic crisis, Hedges-Campos now has to contend with tariff issues, she said, but she’s not too worried.

“There’s always a way to figure it out. You just take it one day at a time.”

Faith is a big part of her business, Hedges-Campos said.

“There’s a cross in our sign, and we want it to be faith based.”

She said there’s “literally no chance” she’d be opening the new chain without her faith.

“I think God is the why and how of how it all came back together again. . . . God’s been how I’ve been able to live my dream in this next phase.”

Hedges-Campos said she wants to thank customers, too.

“There’s been ups and downs, but the amount of excitement is just really humbling and overwhelming.”