Mom of four opens House Boutique in Port Jefferson

What’s in a name? At House Boutique, a cozy new women’s clothing shop in Port Jefferson, owner Leemari Montalvo Pennisi focused squarely on what matters most to her.

"I’m all about family," says Pennisi, 54, a married mom of four daughters from Miller Place who lives in Mount Sinai. "I respect everyone that walks through the door of my shop and treat them like family."

Open since January, the snug space is decked out in a warm off-white hue and features one wall covered in artificial pink blooms. "Every house needs flowers," Pennisi says.

Pennisi features a wide selection of contemporary womenswear — dresses, sweaters, jackets, jeans, skirts and accessories — with starting prices at around $45. Flying Monkey, Coco + Carmen and Aleeza Paris are a sampling of the store’s popular labels.

"Our motto is ‘where chic meets boutique,’ " says Pennisi, who carries sizes petite to 3x and makes affordability a priority. "I keep prices down the best I can. I want to be able to provide something for everyone."

That everybody’s-welcome approach has been a constant throughout House Boutique’s various phases. Pennisi, who worked previously in eldercare, launched the business as a home-based venture in early 2024. After a year, she moved into a Mount Sinai retail space.

In November, she opened a House Boutique outpost at Hollywood Salons in Miller Place. "Women like to have a way to shop while they’re having their hair done, so it works out great." She opened the Port Jefferson shop after closing the Mount Sinai store, where business fell short of expectations.

Pennisi divides her time between both boutiques. In Port Jefferson, her daughter Amanda, 28, helps with sales and social media. Meanwhile, Pennisi’s 19-year-old daughter Gabriella mans the Miller Place location. Pennisi encourages customers to ask for help and input — it’s a House specialty.

"We focus on personalizing our service and going above and beyond," she says. "We help clients with color schemes and looks, and to put it all together."

House Boutique, 301 E. Main St., Port Jefferson and 929 NY-25A, Miller Place, houseboutique.cloveronline.com, @house_boutique_2025