How It All Started; A Story About Moving to Orrville

It all started one evening in the fall with a trip to the bank. It was the time of year when dark comes early - and dusk had already fallen, soft and gray; but Main Street, Orrville felt friendly, with a bright glow from the sentinel row of black vintage, pedestrian-style street lamps.

At the stoplight I absently noticed a faded “for lease” banner taped in the dark window of a 100-year-old brick two-story building. It was still there. I had seen the sign before; it had been hanging there for months – maybe a year. Maybe years. I wasn’t sure. We had even stopped once, to look in the dusty windows. But the ugly, dark interior would take so much work! It was no surprise that the retail space was still empty.

The light switched to green and I made a right hand turn into the ATM drive-through – but I couldn’t get that big, dark, vacant, ugly building out of my mind.

When I mentioned it to Brian, he promptly replied: we should check into it.

We had slowly been out-growing our little duplex-house-turned-store in Rittman. It wasn’t an ideal location or ideal space; but we had made up our minds to make it work; to create a shop as cozy and welcoming as possible. We had also looked at other options; but they always dead-ended. So, we rearranged; squeezed in more inventory; worked hard at marketing; hired more help; and shipped orders out of the basement.

Fast forward three months. Instead of dead-ends, this time, the doors swung open. Even when anxiety made us want to hang back, prayer and peace beckoned us through.

The next months filled up, hauling out old junk on Saturdays and making trips to the lumberyard to pick up drywall and paint in between. Christmas day found our family hanging paper and preparing to paint, while Joy to the World rang from iphone speakers. From washing windows to piecing the final trim in the fitting rooms, precious family and friends supported us, helping with the work. We could not have done it without them!

Our goal has been to create a space that welcomes you in: practical and pretty; comfortable and elevated. We want it to be a place where you can unwind, slow down - and when you leave, feel peaceful and refreshed. We want you to see, touch and try on; ensuring that you only bring into your life those things that you truly love.

Speaking of love - we love the big windows and the bright, airy space. We love the extra fitting rooms and a white wall for photoshoots. We love hearing that our location is closer and better for so many of you and we love meeting you in person! We’re here for you – but just as friends; never to hurry or pressure you. Even if you’re not ready to buy, don’t hesitate to stop in, sip some coffee and share a bit of your life with us. You are the reason for what we do and we wouldn’t be here without you!

And ... it all started one evening in the fall!

Or, maybe it started before that? Maybe it started when we invested in our website and started taking online orders. Or, when Adeline proposed quitting her daycare job to work at the store full time. Or - two years earlier, when we finally said “yes” to a friend’s repeated request to take over her gift shop. Maybe it actually started long before we ever dreamed of a little place that offered modest clothes to the community...

Sometimes we think we know where our “story” starts, or how the story should end. But I'm thinking it doesn’t start – or end – as neatly as a trip on google maps. When we reflect, we see how God has been at work all along the way, sending unique experiences to grow us, even before we know the reason for the lesson. 

He's a good author, and we're grateful He writes each of our stories. Ours began long before that evening in the fall, even if we didn't know it. We still can't read the end of the story; but we trust the Hand that holds the pen. 

- Alyssa is mom to Adeline and her two brothers, wife to Brian, and co-owner of Salt and Honey. Her favorite corner is her rocking chair with a good book, the Bible or a moment with her laptop to write about life.