Our Story

 Meet Melissa

Founder & Owner

Melissa Huff has raised four children, three of whom are triplets, so she knows a thing or two about managing big projects. Blend that with a Spencerian College degree in fashion merchandising, experience in retail, and a knack for crafting beautiful items from hats to wreaths, and it was natural for the Louisville native to open her own boutique.

Mamili, which means “to shop” in Tagalog, an homage to Melissa’s heritage, opened in March at 826 E. Main St., part of NuLu Marketplace development. The fully renovated 1,800 square foot space that once housed a boat store was designed by Gayle Ciliberti and her daughter Michelle of Ciliberti Interior Design. Besides the retail space, there’s plenty of room for Melissa’s hat business, Mad Hatter 502, which last spring sold Derby headwear out of a pop-up store in Prospect.

Mamili features casual and sophisticated clothing with personalized customer service. Melissa describes her own taste in fashion as eclectic, from Hale Bob dresses to casual Sanctuary tops with Paige Jeans and stylish sneakers. In addition to women’s clothing and hats, Mamili also sells clothes for men and children, jewelry, accessories, and gifts, with an emphasis on locally sourced and individually crafted merchandise.

Hats and fascinators that range from sophisticated to wild and crazy can be custom made by Melissa. Mamili also features hand-crafted items by local friends of Melissa who likewise have their own businesses: jewelry by Brenda Sullivan; photo greeting cards by Laura Weis of Whispered Light; and glassware, ornaments, and decorative bourbon barrel staves by Gail Corso of Designs by Gail.

"The boutique", says Melissa, “has always been a dream of mine.” When Melissa was in her 20’s, opening a boutique seemed far-fetched, but 30 years later, her dream has come true. Last December when construction delayed the opening of the boutique, Melissa held an open house at her Prospect home with the help of her colleagues and friends. “I’m shocked that I’m here,” Melissa says, “It took a village. It's like a dream.”