This summer, fans can catch Nikki Blonski performing Hairspray numbers off-Broadway.

Make that about 20 miles off-Broadway.

The actress, who earned a Golden Globe nomination for her portrayal of Tracy Turnblad in the hit 2007 movie adaptation of the stage musical, has taken a summer job selling shoes at the Steven Dann boutique in her hometown of Great Neck, N.Y.

Boutique owner Steven Dann tells our friends over @PEOPLE that Blonsky, 22, works at his store two or three days a week "as a fun thing for the summer." And she's entertaining customers, too.

"She's really sweet to the little kids that come in the store," a source tells E! Online. "She even sings and dances for the customers, busting out the tunes from Hairspray."

Blonsky, who stepped out with a new beau this summer, hasn't had much luck on the showbiz front as of late: Her ABC Family series, Huge, was canceled, and her romantic comedy Waiting For Forever earned scathing reviews.

But her current boss predicts that Blonsky won't be in retail for long: The designer boutique owner says Blonsky has a "huge project" that she's starting in the fall.

"She decided to try the gig for the fun of it," adds her rep. "And to support a longtime friend's local business."