Upscale consignment boutique plans grand opening in Stevensville

Kathy Jennings | Thursday, December 4, 2014

Share in joys boutique

Share in Joys sells refurbished home decor and antiques but if it's dinged, bumped, or cracked it's not going to find a space in the store, "unless it's the shabby style people like," says new owner Sharon Peden.

On Nov. 1 she opened Share In Joy in a 950-square foot space at 2250 W. John Beers Road in Stevensville.

"The reception since the store opened has been really good. I'm pleased," she says.

Customers have been particularly taken with the cozy atmosphere Peden has created Share In Joys. Peden says one customer told her she comes and just sits in the parking lot, looking in at the warm surroundings she has put together.

Peden has always had a passion for antiques as well as setting up unique and eye-catching displays and now she has the space in which to do it. She accepts consignments and customers have noticed that some items for sale in the store are moving quickly. Peden's daughter is also looking in the Chicago area for items to sell at Share In Joys.

Home decor items that include antiques from the 1800s to retro furniture from the 1960s and 1970s are among those customers will find. "It will be good quality, not anything chipped or cracked."

She also soon will begin selling vintage clothing after the holidays.

The store is Peden's first retail venture, though she learned the business many years ago when she herself was a frequent shopper of a similar store. At the time, the owner taught her about the business.

That was a couple of careers ago, though. Peden went on to work in education. Now that she is of retirement age--and her husband will be retired from his position as superintendent of schools in Mona Shores at the end of 2014--she says with a laugh that instead of taking it easy she is working harder than she has ever worked in her life. "We joke about it. I could be sitting with my feet up and taking it easy. But I love this. I am meeting so many interesting people."

She was not looking for a storefront when she found the space in Stevensville. Instead, she was headed to the Purple Door Resale Shop when she saw the space for lease and decided to go for it.

She got the help she needed with the fine details of opening a new business from the Women’s Business Center at Cornerstone Alliance. Establishing her federal I.D. number and filling out various applications all went more smoothly with assistance from the center.

Publicity in various local outlets, such as Moody on the Market and the Herald Palladium also have brought in customers "from the get go," Peden says.

Peden will celebrate her new business start-up with a grand opening from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6. A project Peden has been working on will be raffled off during the grand opening.

Share in Joys is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Peden also accepts consignments by appointment.

Writer: Kathy Jennings, Second Wave Media
Source: Sharon Peden, Share In Joys