The story of how Megan Connealy came to open up a plant and home decor store across the street from the Nebraska State Penitentiary revolves heavily around two events in February.
First, her husband, Devan, was completing remodeling work on a space in the former Burger King location at 14th Street and Pioneers Boulevard for a coffee shop. He told her he had always had the feeling that they should open some kind of business in the other side.
The second event was a trip to Texas after her husband finished the job in which they visited Magnolia, the company formed by Chip and Joanna Gaines of “Fixer Upper” fame.
One of the things Connealy saw at Magnolia was a propagation wall, where plants were growing. The plants were just for decoration, but she thought it would be cool to have a wall like that with plants people could buy.
“I thought that would be really fun to create,” she said. “It’s an experience.”
A propagation wall is one of the main features of Connealy’s new store, Earth & Home.
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The store, which opened Saturday, offers houseplants and plant accessories, home decor, candles and soaps.
Connealy, who doesn’t have any formal background or experience in botany, said she comes from a family of green thumbs and has always had an interest in plants, something that really “bloomed” during the pandemic.
“Because of COVID, I took the time to really learn about them,” she said.
Connealy also said she has lots of friends who are intimidated by houseplants, and she wanted to find a way to help them.
The store’s “pot your own plant” feature, which allows customers to choose a cutting from the propagation wall that Connealy and her staff will put into a pot along with soil and nutrients, is perfect for those who want a plant, but don’t really know how to go about buying one.
Earth & Home will be open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Husker attire now at SouthPointe
Alumni Hall Stores, the company that bought Husker Headquarters, has opened up a location at SouthPointe Pavilions.
The location that opened June 29 in a space next to Barnes & Noble is technically a relocation of the store that was in the Edgewood shopping center at 56th Street and Nebraska 2.
Alumni Hall, which is based in Knoxville, Tennessee, specializes in selling college athletic apparel. It bought Husker Headquarters a year ago. In addition to the SouthPointe store, it has a store downtown at 1120 P St.
New store at Gateway
A women’s clothing store called Daily Thread opened last month at Gateway Mall.
Minnesota-based Daily Thread describes itself as offering “affordable fashion everyday” for women in sizes ranging from extra small to 3X.
The company, which has stores almost exclusively in the Midwest, has been expanding rapidly, with the Lincoln store one of more than a dozen that’s opened just in the past couple of months.
12 Nebraska shops to check out
Suite Child
Suite Child at 2304 Central Ave. in downtown Kearney has the latest baby and toddler fashions as well as helpful products for families with new babies. There is also a store in Elkhorn.
York Boot ‘N Repair
Tammy and Randy Obermier own York Boot ‘N Repair on the east side of the town square for 100 years. The business is a full-service leather repair store that also builds custom orthotics and sells boots and shoes.
Platte River Outdoors
Platte River Outdoors in Loup City sells a variety of hunting, fishing and archery gear and accessories. The store is open Monday-Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Marah’s Treasures
Marah’s Treasures is at 304 Broadway St. in Taylor in Loup County. The shop carries gift items and fragrances, plus life-sized plywood figures made to order, and is open Thursday and Friday afternoons.
The Most Unlikely Place
The Most Unlikely Place, 205 Main St. in Lewellen, is just a short drive from Lake McConaughy and is open Wednesday-Saturday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. It closes for the season from mid-November to mid-March.
The combination bistro/gallery serves breakfast and lunch as well as offering a wide variety of fine art. Sculptures, jewelry, paintings and more are available.
Fort Cody Trading Post
The Fort Cody Trading Post, 221 Halligan Drive in North Platte, has a variety of merchandise. The store is open from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. “We have one of the best selection of western books anywhere, handmade Native American jewelry and arts, T-shirts, toys, Minnetonka Moccasins, retro soda pop, candy, hot sauces, cook books, Nebraska-made items and food, stuffed animals, souvenirs, cards and much, much more,” the store’s Facebook page boasts.
Hollywood Candy
Hollywood Candy is in Omaha’s Old Market at 1209 Jackson St. The store specializes in “hard-to-find retro and nostalgic candies of the past” and has modern-era candy as well. It has a large collection of PEZ dispensers and retro toys and novelties.
Brown Sheep Co. Mill Store
The Brown Sheep Co. Mill Store, located at 100662 County Road 16 in Mitchell, is attached to the mill and sells the company’s yarn “seconds” and other crocheting/knitting supplies. The company’s yarn is known and sold worldwide. One benefit of the mill store is “seeing all the wonderful handpaints that our handpainter tries out when developing new color ways. Because these hanks are one of a kind and generally not reproduced, they are not offered to our retail customers for purchase,” according to the company’s website.
Master’s Hand Candle Co.
Master’s Hand Candle Co. in Tekamah, 3599 County Road F, has more than candles — delectable chocolates, flowers, home decor, shopping, gifts, jewelry, purses and diva wear. The shop’s website declares it “every woman’s dream store.” The store is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
North Platte Art And Gift Gallery
The North Platte Art and Gift Gallery, 516 N. Dewey, is open Tuesday through Saturday and has local contemporary art in a variety of mediums. The enterprise began in 1987 when a group of local artists rented a vintage downtown storefront. One of the five galleries hosts monthly competitive art shows.
Park Avenue Antiques
Park Avenue Antiques, 515 N. Park Ave. in Fremont, has furniture, dishes, linens, home decor and books, as well as a multitude of signs. The shop is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.
The Keeping Room
Its website describes The Keeping Room as “a fusion of stylish antiques, unique holiday and home decor, unique fashion, food and drink and a friendly atmosphere.” The Nebraska City store is at 717 Central Ave. and is open Monday-Wednesday 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Thursday-Saturday 10-7 and Sunday 1-4 p.m.
Marshall Custom Hats
Marshall Custom Hats, 214 Staples St., in Arthur features handmade hats made by James Marshall. “It’s amazing that about 42 percent of my customers are repeat customers,” Marshall told Tri-State Livestock News last year. “Once I get them in once, they’re usually back for another one.”
Reach the writer at 402-473-2647 or [email protected].
On Twitter @LincolnBizBuzz.
