Welcome to CARA!

Oh hey there! Thanks for visiting us and for taking the step to learn more about @goshopcara and the face behind CARA.  CARA was founded in 2023 out of the desire to pursue life's passions.  We source classic, modern staples as well as unique pieces that are affordable yet high quality. Owner Cara personally hand picks every single item to ensure it's up to both our quality and fashion standards.  Cara chooses styles that are versatile and can coordinate with other items in the collection for wardrobe-building ease.  Shopping with CARA is easy and convenient and we hope you enjoy the experience as much as we’ve had fun creating it!

Shop us 24/7 online at goshopcara.com. Prefer to shop in person? You can find us at various pop-up events across West Michigan (see 2024 line up below) or at our permanent pop-up located at  Changing Thymes in Grandville, Michigan - 2nd floor of the Chicago Drive location:

Vendor #5084
4187 Chicago Dr SW
Grandville, MI 49418

2024 Pop-Up Line Up:

• Saturday February 10 @ Terra Square 9am - 2pm
• Monday February 26 @ Holland Civic Center 6-9:30pm
• Thursday April 25 @ Fulton Street Farmers Market (MODE market) 4-8pm
• Friday April 26 - Saturday April 27 @ Holland Civic Center (Out of the Barn Spring Expo) Fri 4-8 pm and Sat 8am - 4pm
• Saturday October 5 @ Barry County Expo Center (MSC Market) 10am-3pm
• Thursday October 17 @ Terra Square (Sip & Shop) 5 - 8 pm

*this list is always evolving so make sure to follow our social accounts @goshopcara for the latest updates.

We can also do private events!  If you're interested in hosting a pop-up at your house, reach out to cara@goshopcara.com.

Let's Get Acquainted

Hi there! My name is Cara Beach, and I am the owner of CARA, @goshopcara. I am a wife and mother to two wild, blue-eyed little boys, living in West Michigan where I’ve spent most of my 36 years.  I love tacos, a good glass of wine, Michigan seasons and spending as much time as possible with family and friends! 

I've always had a passion for fashion and admittedly am slightly obsessed with shopping and outfit curation. I also am an avid decorator and love thrifting and deal hunting to regularly refresh my home.  Since I was a little girl, I longed to have my own shop. I just never thought it was possible for a variety of reasons. It's so easy to find excuses "not" to do something...

In 2019 our world got turned upside down when my youngest son was born VACTERL.  In just a years time, he had 3 major surgeries, multiple hospitalizations and countless specialist appointments.  We felt we had been through the "worst" after a 12 day hospital stay for pneumonia (because what is worse than seeing your kid on a ventilator for a week?!). We were eager to get home and get back to normal once we knew he was going to be okay.  However, the day we got discharged from the hospital was also the day Michigan announced their first COVID case (and you know how the rest of that story goes....)

Luckily our family survived COVID and my son has THRIVED after those difficult first 2 years.  We are so BLESSED.  Fast forward to November of ’21 and our world got turned upside down AGAIN. After experiencing a mysterious array of health problems myself for months, I was admitted to our local hospital where I was diagnosed and treated for Anaplastic Large T-Cell Lymphoma (ALCL).  ALCL is a rare type of Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. My first dose of chemotherapy was on Thanksgiving day with 5 additional rounds of treatment outpatient through early 2022.  After a grueling few months of balancing treatment with family life, I emerged CANCER FREE and in remission in April of 2022.  I launched CARA just a few months after receiving the good news out of the desire to pursue JOY.  We also traveled, made core memories and pursued the things we love.  Unfortunately in June of 2023, our world was shook yet again when I discovered a lump under my armpit. We were quickly able to determine it was indeed cancer, again. I started treatment right away and had a stem cell transplant (aka bone marrow transplant) in the fall of 2023.  Now that I'm a few months post-transplant, I'm happy to report that I'm doing good. I'll continue to be monitored for awhile, so in the meantime I'm focusing on making healthy choices - moving more, eating better and reducing stress. I'm excited to pour into CARA in 2024 and see where it takes me. 

My hope is to inspire you with my story. Life can be SO hard, I know this first hand from my son's health journey and my own cancer battle, amongst other things. Going through life events like cancer, as terrible as they are, can provide perspective. You never know what tomorrow will hold, so CHASE those dreams! The only regret you’ll have is not having pursued what brings you joy! CARA sparks that joy for me and I am forever grateful to you for joining and supporting me on this journey.