New Willoughby Business Looks Better on You

Looks Better on You has a large selection of shoes.

There are a variety of consignment shops in Willoughby, each with its own niche. The newest consignment shop in town is sure to make everything look better on you, whether you are male or female.

Frankie Denmeade, certified personal trainer and marathon runner, opened Looks Better on You at 36495 Vine St. in the Freeway Plaza, in March 2012.

“I enjoy making people fit and making them feel better about themselves,” Denmeade said. “I had thought about it for about six years and decided it was time to open a store.”

Looks Better on You is different from traditional consignment shops, offering far more than just casual clothing. The shop features a variety of styles from business to a large selection of fitness apparel.

The shop accepts new or gently-used clothing, not more than two to three years old.

“We want quality clothing, but it doesn’t have to be brand name,” she said. “We have had a variety of designer bags come through such as Michael Kors and Coach.”

Looks Better on You provides a variety of benefits to customers besides quality clothing. For example, the shop holds a ladies networking night every third Thursday of the month. Attendees at the event have a chance to win a $25 gift card to the shop.

Owner Frankie Denmeade just completed her third Boston Marathon. The shop carries mens and fitness clothing as well.

Denmeade is also dedicated to a variety of charitable causes and plans to work with non-profits such as Dress for Success, a non-profit that aims to dress men and women in professional attire. In addition, she will also encourage customers to run marathons for charity as she does.

“We want the store to be friendly, open and warm,” she said. “We are excited to work non-profits and runs for different causes.”

Looks Better on You is open from noon until 7 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Sundays from noon until 5 p.m.

For more information, visit their website at www.looksbetteronyou.biz.

Willoughby Coal & Garden Center Offers Incentive for Cash Mob Participants

Spring is here, and with favorable weather forecasts on the horizon, its time to get in gear for the next Willoughby Cash Mob, gardening gear that is.

Willoughby Coal & Garden Center, 3872 Erie St., is the Saturday, May 5 location for the Willoughby Cash Mob.

Established in 1932, Willoughby Coal & Garden Center has a vast history. Current owner Jay Byram has worked to expand consumer offerings in the store’s garden center along with the shop’s expert horticulturist and knowledgeable staff.

Certified horticulturist Abigail Ebbecke is ready to tackle your gardening and landscape ambitions, according to the Willoughby Coal website. She selects plant material that will flourish in Northeast Ohio during any season.

With any purchase during the Willoughby Cash Mob, receive a coupon good towards your next visit to Garden Center worth 30% off your entire purchase.

The Willoughby Cash Mob will occur during normal business hours, from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Happy mobbing!

Bella Me Bella You to Restructure, Open Online Store

Bella Me Bella You Owner Susan Steele will be moving out of her current location at 4069 Erie St. to prepare for a transition which includes opening an online storefront.

Bella Me Bella You customers can follow Susan Steele's new plans at the Suzie Marie Designs Facebook page.

Steele opened Bella Me Bella You in April 2010 after building up experience in retail management for 15 years. Her shop offered handbags, accessories and jewelry.

“The Willoughby community has been wonderful to me over the past two years,” Steele said in an interview with Willoughby Today. “I look forward to bringing new, fresh ideas that will continue to put the city on the map.”

Her new business plans include developing her own line of one-of-a-kind purses under the name “Suzie Marie Designs” and alterations including hemming, zipper replacements and bridesmaid dress alterations.

Everything in the Bella Me Bella You location is currently 25% off to prepare for the restructuring.

For now, current and new customers can follow developments and request custom, handmade purses and alterations at the Suzie Marie Designs Facebook page.

Cast on Cafe Announces Closing, Liquidation Sale

After six years of knitting in Downtown Willoughby, Cast on Cafe Owner Peggy O’Grady announced her store is closing.

Cast on Cafe will begin their store liquidation sale on Thursday, April 12.

The yarn shop, which originally opened about four years ago at 4055 Erie St., reopened September 2010 at its new, expanded location at 38038 Second St. The new location featured a coffee shop inside the yarn store.

All yarn, books, magazines, needles, notions, patterns, boxed teas (exceptions listed) will be 25% off.

This does not include Knitting Maven patterns ($4.95 each), vintage patterns (sold for $1.00 or .50 each), buttons in plastic boxes (.50 each), items on consignment (as marked), loose tea (.99 per ounce), truffles ($1.99 each).

All sales will be final with absolutely no returns or exchanges accepted, no holds and no special orders.

Gift certificates must be redeemed for merchandise or workshops, and there are no cash redemption for the certificates.

Fixtures, furnishings and samples will go on sale at a later date.

Cast on Cafe will be hosting two final events.

Needle Felting Workshop with Debbie Henry

Saturday April 28, 2012 at 9:00 a.m.
Learn the art of needle felting with Debbie Henry
Needle felting is a great technique to embellish your creations or to make some cute little critters. Debbie Henry will show you all the possibilities!
$45.00 – includes breakfast, yarn, needle felting materials and lesson!
Participants must bring their own fleece garment or sweatshirt to needle felt.
Check out the sample in the shop!
Call 440-946-9276 or stop in to register.

You MUST register and pay in advance to be part of this fun-filled event.

Join the Breakfast Club!

Saturday April 21, 2012 at 9:00 a.m.
Julie’s Cabled and Beaded Scarf
Stop in the shop to see the sample.
This is a lovely accessory anyone would be proud to wear and make!
$45.00 – includes breakfast, pattern, yarn, beads and lesson!
Call 440-946-9276 or stop in to register.
You MUST register and pay in advance to be part of this fun-filled event.

Cast on Cafe Hours:

Sunday & Monday: closed
Tues, Wed & Thur: 8 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Fri & Sat: 8 a.m – 5 p.m

Willoughby Cash Mob Boosts Sales for Bella Me Bella You

Balloons mark the location of the latest Willoughby Cash Mob.

A smile grew on Susan Steele’s face as she saw how many people visited her store to support her  local business at the latest Willoughby Cash Mob.

More than 30 people purchased a purse or other accessory at Bella Me Bella You, 4069 Erie St., in Downtown Willoughby on Thursday, March 29 over a two-hour time period. Business was ‘significantly busier’ for Steele, who opened the business in April 2010.

“It was really fun,” Steele said. “I had new people who had never been to my shop.”

Steele also said that her Facebook page received at least ten more ‘likes’ or followers as well.

A cash mob is meant to stimulate commerce or provide a boost for one particular store.

During a specified date and time, a large group of participants are encouraged to purchase an item from the named store to show support for local businesses. Cash mobs are normally promoted through social media and local news outlets.

Nearby businesses nominated Bella Me Bella You for the latest cash mob. Steele, who is also the president of the Historic Downtown Willoughby Merchants Association, said she was honored to be the second location ever for the new monthly event.

“The support of the other businesses was awesome,” she said. “I am very grateful that I was nominated.”

The Willoughby Cash Mob is a monthly event, organized by Willoughby Today. The next Willoughby Cash Mob will occur on Saturday, April 21 at an undisclosed location. Visit the official Willoughby Cash Mob page for details about how to nominate a business in need of a cash mob.