Greatness takes careful planning and time. Taurean Lewis, owner and manager of Estate Boutique in downtown Raleigh, said this idea is something he has lived by. And it seems to be working.

Since last October, when Lewis moved his “streetwear” boutique from Chapel Hill to Raleigh after a year of business, he has seen an increasing amount of foot traffic, and expects to expand his business. 

“The store is always a work in progress,” Lewis said. “I have to pace myself.”

Lewis has yet to put a sign up, but said that finding customers for his store in the 300 West Hargett block hasn’t been a problem.

Lewis said exclusivity is an important part of Estate’s image and that social media and word of mouth — not signs or advertisements — have been the business’s primary advertising tools. 

“I don’t ever want to bring stuff that is saturated,” Lewis said.

With six brands that are in the Triangle, including Greed and Backstabbers, Lewis said he hopes to bring brands exclusive to the Triangle.

Lewis left Shaw University after his sophomore year and moved to New York City to work his way up as assistant to the editor at King Magazine. Lewis said his work in photo shoots with celebrities like Kanye West, Jay-Z and T.I. is what first threw him into the world of fashion.

Lewis then moved to Atlanta, where he said his work with Big Boi’s wife, who ran a clothing boutique, gave him the idea to run his own store.

“She kind of taught me the business of owning and running a store,” Lewis said. “I realized then that I always wanted my own store.”

The Triangle worked for Lewis, who said that because he had spent time at Shaw University, he knew there was a market for quality skatewear and streetwear.

“I said, ‘Instead of me going to try do a store in New York or L.A. or Miami where [skatewear and streetwear] is already saturated, bring it to an area where I know guys like myself here are looking for the brands,’” Lewis said.

Three years later, Lewis said he scanned over his crowded boutique in downtown Raleigh during a free show with rapper Drique London on Feb. 9 and asked himself, “Should we have charged?”  

The ongoing concert series titled “Estate Live” has drawn crowds to the store. It is one of several ways Lewis plans on making Estate a household name in years to come.

“I want to get into skateboard decks, denim, t-shirts and hoodies and really brand the store and represent Raleigh,” Lewis said.

After posting a picture of a t-shirt design on Instagram, Lewis said he immediately received inquiries on how to buy it and received compliments from people from around the country. 

“There’s a market for it. I don’t want to rush myself — I want to pace myself,” Lewis said.

Lewis said networking has played a huge role in getting his business off the ground, and other downtown clothing stores like Lumina and the recently opened High Cotton have worked with him.

“I’ve met so many people [in Raleigh] who are talented in everything,” Lewis said.

Estate has made a mark on West Hargett Street among a growing retail scene in downtown. Lewis said he looks forward to seeing expansion within and beyond Raleigh.

“I love it when it is small, but I’m excited to see the transformation,” Lewis said.