Tanya’s Gaudy Girls Boutique is an institution in Warrior, but many people may not know it is a family operation.

The Warrior location has been open for 12 years, and it opened a new store in Gardendale in May. Tanya Cornelius, the store’s namesake, asked her mother, Jean Swindle, to help her run the new branch.

The stores are unique; they specialize, as the name suggests, in large, “gaudy” jewelry and accessories for women. Cornelius searches for brands that fit the unique style. Swindle said the store carries brands from all over.

“All the girls love the gaudy jewelry,” said Swindle. “Tanya works hard to find different things nobody else has.”

Cornelius used to be a hairdresser, and Swindle was a decorator before she started working in her daughter’s store, so another job in beautification was a natural step. Swindle often still gets requests for her decorating skills, and takes a job when she has time.

Swindle said the business might even open a third location in the future; the owner of the Brookwood Mall shopping center in Birmingham approached Cornelius about opening a new store, but Cornelius turned it down.