After a quarter century owning and operating Mainstreet Gifts, Judy Bean still has the same love for the gift industry as when she began.
“You form relationships with people that you probably would never have crossed paths with that are lifetime relationships,” she said.
The Columbia shop celebrated its 25th anniversary during the Holiday Open House Friday. She started in 1992 at what was then known as Main Street Frames and Antiques after having worked eight years at Something Special, a gift shop, and five years as a home interior consultant. She later moved to Broad Street and then to her current location in the former Brandon house, also on Broad Street. She decided to keep the same name but shortened “Mainstreet” to one word.
Bean said if she walked away tomorrow she would consider her years in business well worth it.
“Your customers become family to you,” she said. “I never would have been able to do what I have done without the support of my family, God’s guidance, support of my friends, support of my employees. It all works together.”
Pictured Above: Judy Bean stands by a custom cake Friday made for the 25th anniversary of Mainstreet Gifts and More. | Photo by Kim Gingell
