Our Story
Our Story
A curated gift shop celebrating the artistry, dedication, and beauty of ballet.
How It Began
The Forest Hill Station
Center Stage Boutique was founded by a lifelong ballet enthusiast with a vision: to create a destination where dancers, families, and fans could find thoughtfully curated gifts that honor the craft.
Nestled in the historic Forest Hill Railroad Station, our boutique brings together the elegance of ballet with the warmth of a community gathering place.
The Klein Family, owners of the station which stands adjacent to the first Klein grocery store in Forest Hill, has completely restored the old building inside and out. Its sole tenant is Laura Ward-Moran, who has dedicated her life to dance, and to educating, inspiring, and empowering dancers throughout her community.
According to Michael J. Klein, Chairman of Colgate Investments, LLC, and the Klein Family Real Estate Entities, the historic Forest Hill Railroad Station, designed by the famous architect Frank Furness and once a stop for the Maryland & Pennsylvania Railroad was worth returning to its former glory.
"My family spent a lot of time and thought restoring the old building on our property, and we are confident that the Ma & Pa Railroad Station might never have looked so good! We hope that railroad buffs will be happy to see this restoration, which includes a lot of historic details such as old phone replicas and a pot-belly stove, and that an unusual setting for such a unique business will perk a lot of interest!" Klein concludes.
(Excerpt from PR Release written by Michael I. Blum; President & Creative Director, Michael Blum Associates, Inc., d/b/a MartinoBlum)
My connection to forest hill
About Center Stage Boutique Owner, Laura Ward-Moran
Coming Soon
What We Stand For
Our Guiding Principles
Curation with Care
Every product is hand-selected for quality, artistry, and its ability to delight dancers and ballet lovers alike.
Community First
We exist to serve the local dance community — a place where students, teachers, and families feel at home.
Celebrating Milestones
From first recitals to professional debuts, we help mark the moments that matter most.
Build community
Partner with Us!
We'd love to collaborate! Whether you're interested in special shopping opportunities for your program, co-hosting an event, or exploring a creative opportunity— let's connect.
