There’s a sign you’ll see while walking through the streets of Ligonier that will catch your eye, and probably make you smile. It depicts a cartoon bee (with pink eyeshadow of all things!) and heart-shaped wings. It seems to be sniffing the flower it’s holding, as it looks back at you slyly. It peaks your interest. You wonder, ‘what is THIS store all about?’ and before you know it, that bee has drawn you in and you're browsing an eclectic mix of gifts and treats.
My Honeybee has occupied a corner space at 138 West Main Street since October of 2017. It is owned and operated by mother and daughter team Brenda and Erica Shaffer. Brenda is a former Pittsburgh Corning Human Resources Director who, instead of retiring early as planned, decided to open a gift shop. It was quite a career switch, from an all-consuming job of desk work and travel, to running a retail shop, stocking shelves with fun, quirky gifts. Erica works full time as Executive Director for Excela Health Home Care and Hospice, but helps with special events and buying products to stock the store.
The name of the shop stems from Brenda and Erica Enterprises, or BEE, that originated first as a handmade purse company. At one point, as Brenda’s daughter Erica transitioned from college graduate into the workforce, they were living on opposite sides of the country - Erica in Colorado, and Brenda in Pennsylvania. As a hobby, Erica made colorful hobo-style purses and pocket-totes. She asked her mother to help her start an online business to sell her purses. It was a fun way for them to stay connected while living so far apart. Unfortunately, the purse business soon fizzled due to the demands of full-time jobs and families. Even though mother and daughter now look back on their first venture with amusement, it played a key role in the birth of their ‘bee’ concept, and what was to come.
This is where Laurie McGinnis, owner of Second Chapter Books, came into the picture. Laurie, a friend and neighbor to Brenda for the past 25 years, had a space open up in her store for lease. Brenda always wanted to own a retail store one day, but still held a full-time job. It was perfect - Laurie would do the day-to-day at Second Chapter, and Brenda and Erica would do the shopping to fill their rented space. They went with Laurie to their first wholesale show to purchase inventory, and they were instantly HOOKED! Brenda and Erica had so much fun buying and stocking their space with unique gift items that appealed to different generations. They continued this for the next 3 ½ years, helping at Second Chapter during big events like Fort Ligonier Days and Soups On, and selling their products from a small corner of the store. Then, in the early fall of 2017, a space with a nice little courtyard near the post office became open in town. It was time to make the leap.
They had some work to do to ready the space so that they would be open before ‘Fort Days’, as the locals call it - a beloved festival weekend that draws hoards of people to Ligonier. The family worked hard - Brenda’s husband Don worked tirelessly building countertops and displays, installing fans and air-conditioners, and hanging signs. Brenda and Erica shopped flea markets and second-hand stores for fixtures that matched their vision of a warm, inviting environment. They also shopped locally when designing her store - some of their furniture was bought from Junk Monkey Paints in Ligonier, and Don even painted some display pieces using their paint. They also created an inviting space outside in the courtyard using brightly colored Adirondak chairs she purchased from Mill Creek Furniture.
Inside, you’ll find mugs shaped like owls, foxes and bunnies, unicorn ‘critter pots’ and llama ‘trinket trays.’ There are pretty Finchberry soaps and fragrant bath bombs; jams, jellies and honey, and Bellisari sauces and spreads. Her colorful Chala purses and wallets with their sewn animal overlays are very popular. There are fair-trade items such as the works of art by Beyond Borders - unique, detailed wall art made from 55-gallon drums by Haitian artists. But let’s talk about our personal favorite - collections of coasters by Paisley and Parsley that will cause any shopper to snicker with sayings like this:
“I’ve decided not to have kids. The kids are taking it pretty hard.”
“Never ask a woman who’s eating ice cream straight out of the container how she’s doing.”
“Sorry I slapped you, but it seemed like you’d never stop talking so I panicked.”
“Finally, my winter fat is gone. Now I have spring rolls!”
Are you getting the picture yet? My Honeybee is a FUN variety store, which makes it a perfect place to host an event involving wine and chocolate. The first of their quarterly ‘customer appreciation events’ was held April 13th, and with all the special discounts and giveaways, the store was packed with shoppers, and the event was a huge success. (Their next event will feature 'Music & Mimosas', and will be held on June 29th!) Speaking of special discounts - Brenda also has a ‘Try Your Luck Thursday’ tradition that’s a fun way for the customer to earn a discount. Between 5 and 7pm, roll the dice at the register and receive up to 20% off your entire purchase.
When Brenda was asked what she liked most about being a small business in the lovely town of Ligonier, she said: "We have been overwhelmed by the support from our customers, other merchants and the chamber and feel blessed to be part of such a wonderful community. We hope to be a Ligonier retail location for a long time!"
Browsing the store, there’s plenty of things on display that will make you smile, just like that smirking honeybee on the sign promised. You’ll fill your shopping basket with a magnet that says “Trust Me, You Can Dance’ - Vodka.” A coaster will catch your eye that whispers a perfect one-liner: “Sometimes when I open my mouth, my mother comes out.” (You'll say to yourself, ‘Isn’t THAT the truth!’ as you add it to your basket.) And for that photographer friend of yours, you'll find the perfect thing: a beautifully detailed mug transformed into a camera, with a small inscription inside - ‘Stop, Smile, Breathe - Life Is Beautiful.’
My Honeybee, with its tagline of 'Bee Happy!' and its vibrant environment and contents, is a great reminder to do just that.
Follow along with My Honeybee and get updates on their special events here on Facebook
and Instagram!
Commentaires