Nikki Blonsky works at Great Neck boutique

Great Neck's Nikki Blonsky, who made her mark starring in the movie musical "Hairspray" (2007) and went on to her own short-lived ABC Family series "Huge" last year, has been working for about a week at the high-end Steven Dann boutique in her hometown. And despite speculation about her career fortunes, the shoe store's namesake says don't jump to any conclusions.

"She's not doing it for the money," Dann told Newsday Monday. So is this research for a role, then?

"Can't comment," he said. "Make of that what you will! But she's got this enormous project that starts in the fall."

Blonsky, 22, who in February appeared in the film "Waiting for Forever," has gotten all her red-carpet shoes and accessories from the shop, Dann said. "Nikki and I have always been friends. The whole thing has been so much fun."

Customers certainly seem to think so.

An unnamed "store source" told E! Online, "[T]he customer will ask her to sign her autograph on the receipt and she does. . . . She's really sweet to the little kids that come in the store. She even sings and dances for the customers, busting out the tunes from 'Hairspray!' "

Blonsky, who will be working two or three days a week, was not there Monday afternoon.

"She will be working here for the next couple of months," said Dann, who also owns the Great Neck restaurant Crave 11025. Blonsky's spokeswoman had no comment.

With Adam Wagner