AVON — Brenda Gillespie recently opened a shop called Sassy Butterflies, but she’s no stranger to the Avon business community.
Twelve years ago, Gillespie closed her other shop, Home Sweet Home, after being in business for more than 12 years.
Sassy Butterflies offers a variety of home accessories, special gift items, and a place to take classes.
“We’re also hoping to become a place were ladies come and gather,” Gillespie said. “We have an eclectic mix of home decor and jewelry — anything that would make a woman smile.”
The shop is at 192 N. S.R. 267, Avon.
“I’ve lived in Avon for over 30 years,” Gillespie said. “Originally in 1987, we opened Home Sweet Home down on the other corner of this building. Then we moved to Avon Station.”
She said several of her customers from Home Sweet Home have heard about the new shop and stopped in to see her.
“It’s been fun to see people,” Gillespie said.
She said she went into this venture after losing a job and having a near-death experience.
“I knew I had a purpose and I love to support women-owned businesses,” she said. “And I’ve always supported our community.”
Gillespie has been joined by two of her former employees from Home Sweet Home, Sandy Willis and Barbara Burton.
“I don’t have any employees yet, but they come in and help me out when they can,” she said.
The shop will soon be hosting several classes such as faux painting and jewelry making.
“Or if people just want to come in and have a cup of tea and sit and visit,” Gillespie said, “we have a place for that.”
She said one of the upcoming classes will be on repurposing.
“Participants can bring in objects and the group will help figure out how to repurposing it,” she said. “People will often get something but they don’t know what to do with it, so it just sits in a jewelry box or is put away. We will come up with a way for it to be put to use so it can be enjoyed.”
Gillespie and her husband, Richard, have been married for 44 years. They have two children — Jeff and Wendy — that grew up in Avon. Their grandchildren — Mikala and Kaci — are even getting into the business.
“Mikala has her own products over here,” Gillespie said. “We call it Mikala’s Corner. We’re seeing she has the knack for knowing what girls her age are looking for.”
The shop’s hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. They will stay open extra during the Christmas season and are available to schedule the shop open for groups.
For more information, call 272-4704. Sassy Butterflies is also on Facebook.
brenda.holmes@flyergroup.com
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