Out On A Limb Hosiery Boutique Ltd

Ellen Somer has the retail business in her blood. "I used to make boxes in the basement of my dad's store, and I remember loving the action,” says Ellen. From a young age, she knew she wanted to be her own boss and do whatever it took to make customers happy.

It was 1994 when Ellen found her own retail niche. While shopping on Avenue Road's uptown strip, she noticed there was nowhere to buy great hosiery. “I envisioned a neighbourhood store full of socks and hosiery, a casual place where you could wander in and browse with your kids and your dogs,” Ellen says. And that’s exactly what her store, Out On A Limb, has become.

Her mom came up with the catchy name, says Ellen with a laugh. “Here we were, going out on a limb opening the first store of its kind in the area, and focusing on hosiery and socks for your limbs!”