Southwest Native Goes Brick and Mortar

“The downtown Roanoke community has been so welcoming and supportive of my journey,” says Sierra Sallah, owner of Southwest Native.
“The downtown Roanoke community has been so welcoming and supportive of my journey,” says Sierra Sallah, owner of Southwest Native. Sarah Riddell

The story below is from our July/August 2022 issue. For more stories like it, Subscribe Today. Thank you! 


The jewelry line-turned-modern chic women’s boutique opened its doors in March.



On Cyber Monday of last year, Sierra Sallah made her vision of creating her own jewelry line a reality when she launched Southwest Native as an online storefront. It was her busy lifestyle and love of timeless jewelry pieces that made her finally take the plunge.

“I am a mama to a seven-year-old and two pups. So, I am always on the go!” Sallah shares. “I wanted jewelry that was affordable, stylish and durable enough to handle my everyday chaos.”

Little did she know that less than a year later, she’d be moving into her very own retail space located in the iconic Crafteria building. “I wanted to (eventually) grow into a brick-and-mortar, but I definitely didn’t think it would be this early on,” admits Sallah. “I love the convenience of online shopping, and many of my customers do too, but having a location for folks to visit … was always the goal!”

Moving into the new space has given Sallah the opportunity to expand Southwest Native into a full-fledged women’s boutique. In addition to the jewelry she curates, the shop now carries women’s clothing and accessories, including pieces from Wild Thread Co., an online boutique based out of Smith Mountain Lake. “It has been such a positive change and the love we receive from both our customers and community is proof of it!”

Though adding a retail storefront to her online operation has been overwhelming at times, Sallah is grateful for all the encouragement she’s received along the way. “The downtown Roanoke community has been so welcoming and supportive of my journey,” says Sallah. “I think they have been a key to my success thus far!”

You can learn more about the boutique on their website at shopsouthwestnative.com and on Instagram @shopsouthwestnative. 


The story above is from our July/August 2022. For more stories, subscribe today or view our FREE digital edition. Thank you for supporting local journalism!

Author

You Might Also Like:

40th Annual Readers’ Choice Dining Awards

40th Annual Readers’ Choice Dining Awards  

Submit your nominations for Roanoke's best restaurants today!
Local Colors Festival May 16 Elmwood Park

Events Calendar May/June 2026

Top May and June Events Around the Roanoke Area
Bruce and Peggy Todaro on the deck of the Green Goat, with the Wasena Bridge behind them.

Wasena Will Come Full Circle Soon

The new bridge, skate park, and blueway will be welcomed by pedestrians, businesses, and customers. 
Artist Casey Murano discussed her watercolor, Come On, Surprise Me, at an artist talk.

Inspired by Nature

The celebration of a heralded book leads to ongoing community projects.
Artist Brian Counihan, Roanoke Arts and Culture Coordinator Douglas Jackson, and other artists and community members create people-centered floats for this year’s Daisy Art Parade in the main floor of Art Project Roanoke, located in the heart of downtown.

Where Everyone’s an Artist

Art Project Roanoke hosts community events on the first floor and artist studios above.
Group photo from one of the two national events Tincher Pitching did this winter in Roanoke, the Pitching Summit.

From Buchanan to the Big Leagues of Softball

When his daughter asked him to teach her how to pitch, Denny Tincher began a journey that would produce a national champion, a historic no-hitter, and a softball training empire rooted in the Roanoke Valley.
Dan Smith / Patrick Harrington

Do You Know… Dr. Mary McDonald?

Dr. Mary McDonald takes her message and her care for large animals worldwide.
This is a 1959 aerial view of Victory Stadium along Reserve Avenue SW.

The Game Changer

In 1961, an NFL exhibition game in Roanoke changed the city and professional football.
The Roanoker May June 2026 Best Of Roanoke Editors Note

Pride in Our People

Our annual Best of issue shows what makes Roanoke strong, resilient, and unmistakably local.