'Someday I'm going to have a store...

with a tinkly bell hung over the door…” So begins a book and poem written by Rachel Field, a book I purchased when my daughter was born in 1988. I read it aloud to her often, but she was busy learning to roll and discover her voice and place in this world, and I, well, I was really getting into this book! Someday, I WAS going to have a store. It happened, I opened the doors to a small garden center that grew from an industrial wasteland into a lush oasis for local plant enthusiasts, a place where I may have met you. I purchased, and stocked, and listened to you, and restocked, and marketed, and collected money, and counted inventory…and planted seeds. I loved it, so much that I opened a second lovely place just around the corner, where I learned about local artists needing a storefront, and struggles of retail in marginal locations, and the magic of trying, the real American dream! I am certain I met many of you there, where Suzy Sparkleberry was born. I loved having a store. Through twists and turns of life, the doors of my “stores” closed and my paths took a different direction. And today, I find myself stocking shelves once again. The opportunity has arisen to pop up a shop in the garden center where I am employed. I reconnected with some of my favorite vendors, local and distant; I am filling a space with twinkly lights and Christmas bells, and beautiful paintings, and candles so tasty to smell, and beautiful soaps to gift to your favorite friends. I suppose I can’t help myself…I have a little store and I will say “What can I do for you today?” I sure hope you come by and say hello and perhaps find a Holiday decoration to add to your favorites or a perfect gift that will bring a smile.

General Store by Rachel Field

Someday I'm going to have a store
With a tinkly bell hung over the door,
With real glass cases and counters wide
And drawers all spilly with things inside.
There'll be a little of everything:
Bolts of calico; balls of string;
Jars of peppermint; tins of tea;
Pots and kettles; and crockery;
Seeds in packets; scissors bright;
Kegs of sugar, brown and white;
Sarsaparilla for picnic lunches,
Bananas and rubber boots in bunches.
I'll fix the window and dust each shelf,
And take the money in all myself,
It will be my store and I will say:
“What can I do for you today!”