About Us

Our Story

Lesley Magnus, founder and owner of ARIA Boutique, was born and raised in Fergus and Elora, Ontario. Growing up in these communities, Lesley developed a deep appreciation for the charm of small-town life and the importance of personal connection. From a young age, she knew that one day she wanted to build something of her own in the place she proudly calls home.

Before bringing that dream to life, Lesley spent several years working in the city in high-volume retail environments. In fact, during the first five years of her journey, she worked full-time out of town in order to financially support her long-term dream of opening her own business in Elora. She intentionally sought out experience with some of the industry’s most recognized brands, gaining invaluable knowledge in merchandising, operations, and customer service. Her retail career included working with companies such as Estée Lauder, Zara, Sears, Victoria’s Secret, Restoration Hardware, Mexx, & a few other brands. These fast-paced environments allowed her to learn the inner workings of successful retail businesses and helped shape the level of service and experience she wanted to bring back to her hometown. testing

More Than a Boutique

Despite building her career in the city, Lesley’s heart was always set on returning home. When she learned that space was still available in the Mews Courtyard near the beautiful Elora Mill Hotel & Spa, which was preparing to reopen, she knew the timing was finally right to pursue her dream and create the boutique she had always envisioned.

The name Aria carries deeply personal meaning for Lesley. After years of infertility due to endometriosis, she and her husband went through many procedures and rounds of in vitro fertilization in hopes of starting a family. Although their journey to have children did not unfold as they had hoped, Lesley chose to pour that love, care, and dedication into something she could nurture and grow. In many ways, ARIA became the dream she would raise — a business built with the same passion, patience, and heart she had always hoped to give a child.

Lesley created ARIA with the vision of bringing beautiful, thoughtfully curated fashion and lifestyle products to Fergus and Elora so that locals would no longer need to travel into the city to find quality pieces. Whether someone is shopping for work, a special event, a wedding, or simply something casual, ARIA strives to offer something for everyone, with moderate price points that make great style accessible.

More than just a boutique, Lesley wanted ARIA to feel welcoming, inclusive, and genuine. Her philosophy is simple: every customer should feel comfortable, valued, and never pressured. She and her team work hard to help each customer find pieces that truly suit them, focusing on proper fit, honest guidance, and a personalized shopping experience.

In addition to fashion, ARIA also carries a wide variety of lifestyle and giftable items — including bath and body products, intimates, handbags, accessories, hats, scarves, winter accessories, swimwear, and more. These carefully selected pieces create a boutique experience where customers can discover something special, whether they are shopping for themselves or searching for the perfect gift.

For Lesley, ARIA is more than a business — it is a dream built with resilience, heart, and a deep love for the community that shaped her. Through ARIA, she hopes to create a space where people feel welcomed, inspired, and proud to shop locally.