Maggy Award Winner - Best Kids Clothing Store in Cary, NC 2025
https://www.carymagazine.com/features/2025-maggy-awards-shopping/
Becoming a small-business owner was never in the cards for Amy Holcomb — at least, not at first. She grew up dancing and, after studying dance with a concentration in private studio teaching in college, continued her passion as a competitive dancer throughout her life.
Over her years of training competitive dancers in various styles, Amy worked with students ranging from 18 months to 18 years old. After 15 years of teaching, she describes herself as being “at a crossroads. With two young children, my priorities shifted, and I began wondering what was next for me.”
That was when Amy reached out to Katherine Herring, the original owner of Relevé Dancewear, about the possibility of opening an additional location. After all, she had been a loyal customer herself — first as a college student, then as a teacher who had often sent her students there for their dance essentials. Little did Amy know that Katherine was planning her retirement and looking for someone to take over the store. “It’s amazing how opportunities arise when you least expect them,” Amy says, “and I knew this was something I couldn’t pass up.”
Today, Amy “couldn’t feel more grateful for where life has taken me.” With her background in dance and knowledge of the brands, styles, and shoes that dancers love, Relevé provides the Cary community with everything its dancers, gymnasts, and cheer athletes need.
And community involvement is at the core of Relevé Dancewear, with its success dependent on providing essential dancewear for local recreational and professional dancers. “It is a top priority for me to build and maintain strong connections with local dance studios, middle and high schools, and professional companies such as the Carolina Ballet,” Amy explains.
Relevé also supports local arts programs by helping to outfit dancers for performances; donating to silent auctions; and advertising in playbills, which contributes to the funding of arts departments. “I strongly believe in the power of supporting the local arts,” Amy says, “and am proud to be a part of a community that values creativity and performance.”
As a mom of two young boys and a small-business owner, Amy — who knows she isn’t alone in this feeling — finds herself “prioritizing what needs my attention most in the moment, only to feel like I’m running on fumes when the next task comes around.”
Her superpower of choice? The ability to extend the hours of the day — just enough to feel content with how she divides her time among the important aspects of her life, all while having unlimited energy. As she describes: “The satisfaction of knowing I could dedicate quality time to my business, my family, my friends, and even myself without feeling stretched thin would be incredible.”
Yet while “a little extra time (and energy) would make all the difference,” Amy knows she could not do what she does without her supportive staff. “They are truly my superheroes, day in and day out!”
Receiving the Maggy Award for Best Kids’ Clothing in the Cary area is therefore an achievement Amy considers a true team effort. “Owning Relevé Dancewear has been an incredible learning experience,” she says, “and I love that my journey in dance continues to evolve.”