Entrepreneurs team up to open new store in Superior
MONTE TURNER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 year, 7 months AGO
Christine Wharton, left, and Janeen Willis have opened The Classy Bee’s Gift Shop at 204 Fourt Avenue in Superior. A combined enjoyment of making items for the Saturday Market and other craft shows and bazaars developed into a partnership for a storefront location (Photo provided)
Christine Wharton and Janeen Willis have each been in the "fun stuff" business for a few years and recently partnered up with Superior retail store The Classy Bee’s Gift Shop at 204 4th Avenue.
“We met at the Superior Saturday Market in June of last year,” Willis said. “And then we hosted craft events or bazaars in Superior last November and December and another one this past March.”
Her business, Garden Floweerfun Gifts, came about because, “I love to garden, grow flowers and make gifts,” she smiled.
KCB Creations, Inc., is owned by Wharton, who has other enterprises in the area, and they discovered they had some similar subject-based merchandise. So, through their meeting and working next to each other, the two built a business relationship for a storefront setting.
“Honestly, this place opened up and we wanted four walls to put our products in so that we are not loading and unloading and setting up and breaking down that those shows require,” explained Wharton. “And we felt the community needed a gift shop.”
She explained that about 90% of their inventory is made by the two of them at their own homes when they find time between other life duties. The home décor consists of table centerpieces, stationary, greeting and note cards, trivets, baby gifts, painted saw blades, flasks, T-shirts, reusable bags, coasters, napkins, wooden signs, faith based, funny toilet paper, sarcastic, Montana-themed and seasonal items.
The cozy 200-square-foot space is open Thursday, Friday and Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. They have plans to offer helium ballons and balloon bouquets but the dust is still settling.
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