Those looking to add a homey touch or a different approach for a space in their home have new options with the Lavender Lily Gifts & Decor.
Michelle Bernskoetter opened the Lavender Lily Gifts & Decor to friends and family last weekend and has a grand opening set for Saturday.
The shop, located at 2208 Missouri Blvd. Suite 101 in Jefferson City, near Panera and Pancheros, is meant to offer high-ticket items at a lower price than some places may be able to offer. Bernskoetter said the more expensive places are great for those who can afford them, but many people balk at the higher prices for decor items.
"I try to bring it down a little bit and try to bring some creative ideas into it," Bernskoetter said.
She works with local vendors to offer unique products, she said, which also helps those who have struggled in the absence of normal shows and markets during the pandemic. Bernskoetter also offers some of her own handmade products, like soft, chunky knit blankets she's been selling for a couple of years under the name Beyond Heavenly Blankets.
"We want to have this be a place where you can get gifts for any occasion, decorate your house or decorate someone else's house, whatever it may be," Bernskoetter said.
In addition to finding items from snarky or cute signs to pillows and wall hangings, Bernskoetter said she will assist with ideas in how to redecorate a space or find ideas that work for each customer. The entire shop uses refurbished furniture and recycled items to give it a comfortable atmosphere for customers to browse or shop.
"It's a family business, and we want everybody to feel like a part of the family when they come in the door and when they leave," she said.
Bernskoetter plans to keep the store's inventory changing so there is almost always something new when customers come in to take a look around.
For Bernskoetter, the Lavender Lily is fulfilling a goal of hers to run her own business. While she continues to work at Boone Hospital part time, she hopes to make the decor and gift shop her full-time job at some point.
"I'm going to put 150 percent toward it, and we're just going to try it out," Bernskoetter said.
Store hours are tentatively set for 11 a.m.-6 p.m. on weekends, with shorter hours on weekdays. She also offers live shopping on The Lavender Lily Facebook page.
Lizzie Lou's bursts at vintage seams, moves to J Street Vintage
A little more than six months after the shoppette opened on Jefferson Street, Lizzie Lou's is changing locations.
Lizzie Harlan, who opened the shoppette across from her other business, J Street Vintage, in November, said the vintage clothes she offered at Lizzie Lou's quickly became a popular feature, taking over what was at first intended to be a space for more pop-up businesses.
So she reorganized the vendors at J Street Vintage, including eliminating her own booth space, to dedicate the second floor to Lizzie Lou's vintage clothes.
"Vintage clothing just kept popping up," Harlan said of how the clothes took over the space.
Harlan specified the vintage clothes section will continue to be Lizzie Lou's and be generally separate from the offerings of J Street Vintage.
Moving Lizzie Lou's also means she can expand the store hours to match those at J Street Vintage, which was an issue for customers who had driven in during the week and wanted to check out the vintage clothing shop. She couldn't always just run across the street and open it up for people at request, Harlan said.
"I saw how many were missing opportunities," Harlan said of the existing J Street Vintage customers who would enjoy the clothes from Lizzie Lou's. "So we did some soul searching, and it was time. It's growing. I'm seeing younger and younger girls come in."
Meanwhile, the shoppette at 608 Jefferson St. will continue to be available for rent and used for photo space for Harlan to feature items online.
Find more information on Lizzie Lou's at Facebook.com/lizzielousvintage.
Know of any business happenings around Jefferson City? Let us know at bizbeat@news tribune.com.